Comparing the effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) and cognitive behavioral therapy on craving, mood, and smoking addiction

Craving is a complex behavior and one of the important factors for the continuation of smoking. This research was conducted to compare the effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on craving, mood, and smoking addiction in smokers. 

In this experimental study, 12 smokers who referred to medical centers in Mashhad- Iran, were selected by the convenient sampling method and assigned to TDCS (6 cases) and CBT (6 cases) groups randomly. They received the intervention during 8 sessions. They fulfilled the Questionnaire on Smoking Urges, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, before and after the intervention. The data were analyzed using Wilcoxon test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. 

The results showed that both TDCS and CBT treatments significantly reduce smoking craving (P< 0.05), but TDCS reduces craving greater than CBT (P< 0.01). Also, TDCS improves positive and negative affect significantly, while CBT only improves negative affect in smokers (P< 0.05). Besides, TDCS causes more improvement in negative affect (P< 0.01). TDCS reduces smoking addiction (P< 0.05), while CBT was not effective in this regard. 

Compared to cognitive behavioral therapy, transcranial direct current stimulation has a greater effect on craving, mood, and smoking addiction.