Comparing the Effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Cognitive Rehabilitation on the Executive Functions of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Nowadays, disorder in the executive functions of children with autism is a controversial issue. Therefore, the present research aimed to examine the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and cognitive rehabilitation on the executive functions of children with autism.

This semi-experimental research had a pre-test-post-test design. The statistical population of the study included all children aged 10-12 with autism disorder who referred to treatment centers and clinics in Shahin Dezh and Bukan cities, Iran, 2021-2022. A total of 30 children with autism were purposefully selected and randomly assigned into two groups (15 in the tDCS and 15 in the cognitive rehabilitation). The participants in the tDCS group underwent anodic tDCS on the head for 10 min, and participants in the cognitive rehabilitation group underwent 12 sessions of 40 min long computerized cognitive rehabilitation training. Research tools included Gilliam's Autism Diagnostic Scale, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Stroop Test, Numerical Memory Subtest of Wechsler Test, Andre-Ray Test, and Continuous Performance Test. Multivariate covariance analysis was performed to analyze the collected data using SPSS software (version 26).

The results showed that the tDCS method was more effective on executive functions (cognitive flexibility, response inhibition, working memory and sustained attention) compared to the cognitive rehabilitation method (P≥0.01).

Based on the findings of the present research, both methods of tDCS and cognitive rehabilitation are helpful supplements for improving and strengthening executive functions in children with autism.