Effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Executive Functions and Cognitive Flexibility in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
Keywords:
Transcranial direct current stimulation, Executive functions, Cognitive flexibility, Major depressive disorderAbstract
This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on improving executive functions and cognitive flexibility in patients with major depressive disorder. This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest control group design with 30 female patients aged 20–35 diagnosed with major depressive disorder in Tehran. Participants were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received six 20-minute tDCS sessions over three weeks, while the control group received no intervention. Instruments included the Beck Depression Inventory, N-Back task, and Cognitive Flexibility Test. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance with repeated measures. Multivariate covariance analysis revealed that tDCS significantly improved executive functions and cognitive flexibility in the experimental group compared with the control group (p<0.001). tDCS represents an effective and safe intervention for enhancing cognitive functioning in individuals with major depressive disorder.
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Copyright (c) 1404 معصومه ساعدکاظمی, فرزانه خسروی, زهره پورمعصومی حسن کیاده (نویسنده); سیده نفیسه محسنی منصور (نویسنده مسئول); کامران پورمحمدقوچانی , گیتی شهبازی (نویسنده)
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