Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on improving cognitive control in paranormal believers

Cognitive control, which means the ability to control inappropriate behaviors or responses, and it is one of the main components of executive function that is impaired in paranormal believers. Therefore, this study seeks to determine whether the anodal stimulation of tDCS in the rDLPFC region is effective on the cognitive control function in paranormal believers or not?

The aim of this study was to improve the ability of cognitive control and inhibition through transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in paranormal believers.

The present study was a quasi-experimental post-test design with a control group(sham). The statistical population of this study was the students of the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Tehran in 2019, of which 38 people were available through sampling and using the revised paranormal beliefs scale (Tobacyk,2004), which measures the sevirity of paranormal beliefs in individuals, Were screened and those with above-average scores were randomly assigned to the groups (experimental and sham). The Anodal Stimulation experimental Group received in the F4 region as well as the Cathodal Stimulus in the FP1 region (2-MA in 10-minute), and the Sham group received a fictitious stimulus. Participants were assessed in the anode stimulation position and quasi-stimulation conditions through the Go/No-Go test, which is used to measure inhibition.

The results showed that a significant difference between the mean scores related to the inhibitory error (p= 0/01) and the reaction time (p= 0/01) in the experimental and sham groups. Thus, the inhibitory error and reaction time of rDLPFC group are significantly less than the sham group.

The transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on rDLPFC of paranormal believers can improve cognitive control.