Comparison of the Effect of Direct Electrical Stimulation from the Skull (TDCS) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Cognitive Functions and Psychological Well-Being of Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of direct cranial electrical stimulation and cognitive-behavioral therapy on cognitive functions and psychological well-being of methamphetamine-dependent patients.
This experimental study was a post-test pre-test by control group. The statistical population was all male patients dependent on methamphetamine referred to Gam Addiction Treatment Clinic in Ghaemshahr in 1399, from which 45 statistical samples were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly divided into 3 groups of 15 (Experiment 1, Experiment 2 and Control) were divided. Subjects in all three groups answered the Wechsler Form A (1945) and Reef (1989) psychological well-being questionnaires in three stages of pre-test, post-test and follow-up. For experimental group 1, direct electrical stimulation from the skull with a maximum current of 2 mA and a maximum voltage of 80 volts, and for the experimental group 2, sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy on the protocol of cognitive-behavioral therapy (Bailing, McCabe, Anthony, 2011) It was performed for 12 sessions and the control group did not receive any treatment. SPSS24 software and descriptive and analytical statistics (Analyze of Covariance and Post-Hoc) were used to analyze the data.
The analysis showed that direct electrical stimulation from the skull and cognitive-behavioral therapy had a positive and significant effect on cognitive functions and psychological well-being (p < 0.05). But the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy was greater (p < 0.05).
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be used to reduce psychological problems cognitive functions and improvement in methamphetamine-dependent patients.