The Effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Working Memory in Patients with Major Depression

Abstract

Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on working memory in patients with major depression. Materials and Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental with pretest and post-test and follow-up with control group. The research population comprised female outpatient referrals to private psychiatric centers and psychological counseling centers in Tehran in the first half of 2016, They had received a diagnosis of depression by a psychiatrist at least once. Of these, 30 females were selected as a sample group with convenience sampling method and based on the criteria of inclusion and exclusion and were divided randomly into two groups , experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) group. The experimental group received transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in 10 sessions, While this intervention was not provided to the control group. The data were collected by N-BACK. Analysis of variance with repeated measurments was used to test the research hypothesis. Results: The results showed that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) had a significant effect on increasing working memory and the impact will continue to follow up. Conclusion: Therefore, this approach can be used to improve working memory in people with major depression.

Keywords

• Major depression
• Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
• Working memory