Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci.
2021 Nov;19(4):653-668. 10.9758/cpn.2021.19.4.653.
Improved Executive Functions and Reduced Craving in Youths with Methamphetamine Addiction: Evidence from Combined Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation with Mindfulness Treatment
- Alizadehgoradel J
1 - Imani S2
- Nejati V3
- Vanderhasselt MA4,5
- Molaei B6
- Salehinejad MA7,8
- Ahmadi S8
- Taherifard M8
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Tehran, Iran
- 2Department of Clinical and Health Psychology & Counseling Group, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
- 3Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Education & Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
- 4Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- 5Department of Head and Skin, Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- 6Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
- 7Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
- 8Ruhr-University Bochum, International Graduate School of Neuroscience, Bochum, Germany
- 9Department of Psychology, Mohaghegh-Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran
- KMID: 2522967
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.9758/cpn.2021.19.4.653
Abstract
Objective
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and mindfulness practices have been proposed as a potential approach to improve executive functions (EFs) and reduce craving in persons with substance use disorders. Based on the neural mechanisms of action of each of these interventions, the combination of both non-pharmacological interventions might have additive effects. In the current study, the effects of tDCS combined with mindfulness-based substance abuse treatment (MBSAT) to improve EFs and reduce craving were investigated in early abstinent methamphetamine abuse.
Methods
Eighty (youths aged between 18 and 21) early-abstinent methamphetamine users were randomly assigned to the research groups (tDCS group [n = 20], mindfulness group [n = 20], combined mindfulness-tDCS group [n = 20], and sham group [n = 20]). Active tDCS (1.5 mA,20 min, 12 sessions) or sham tDCS was appliedover the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the MBSAT protocol was used over twelve 50-min sessions.
Results
Both in the post-test phase (immediately after the intervention) and follow-up phase (one month after the intervention), performance in most EFs tasks significantly improved in the combination group which received real tDCS ＋ MBSAT, as compared to baseline values and sham stimulation group. Similarly, a significant reduction in craving was observed after intervention inall treatment groups, but not the sham stimulation group. Interestingly, the increase in EFs and the reduction in craving post versus pre tDCS ＋ MBSAT intervention were correlated.
Conclusion
Findings from the current study provide initial support for the clinical effectiveness of combination tDCS ＋ MBSAT, possibly influencing cognitive/affective processes.
- Full Text Links
-
- Actions
-
Cited
- CITED
-
- Close
- Share
-
- Similar articles
-
- Neuromodulation for the Treatment of Tinnitus
- Current Evidence for Post Stroke Aphasia Treatment
- Non-Invasive Neuromodulation for Tinnitus
- Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation for Treatment of Focal Hand Dystonia: Update and Future Direction
- Efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Controlling of Food Craving in Subjects With Overweight or Obesity: A Pilot Study
