The Comparison of the Effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Behavior Activation Program on Craving and Physical Pain Symptoms in Opioid-Dependent Individuals

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and behavioral activation program on craving and physical pain symptoms in opioid-dependent people.

The present study was quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population of this study included all drug-dependent people referred to addiction treatment clinics in Ahvaz in 2019 (60 people) from which 45 people were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly placed into two experimental groups (each 15 people) and the control group (n=15). To collect the data, the post-detoxification craving and temptation scale and the physical symptom checklist-90-revised were used. Data analysis was performed using analysis of covariance.

The results showed that both treatments of tDCS and behavior activation treatment significantly reduced craving, but had no significant effect on physical pain symptoms. In addition, there was no significant difference between the effects of the two treatments on craving and physical pain symptoms.

These two treatments are effective in reducing craving. Although these treatments are applied in different ways, the mechanism of their evidence and effectiveness is based on replacement and compensation. Therefore, it is suggested that in future research, an experimental group be used in two different time periods and both techniques be performed on a fixed experimental group and the results be compared.