Modification of attentional bias and reduced craving from combined mindfulness+tDCS therapy in methamphetamine addiction: A randomized, sham-controlled, single-blinded clinical trial

Alizadehgoradel, Jaber

doi:10.22098/jrp.2023.12028.1152

Modification of attentional bias and reduced craving from combined mindfulness+tDCS therapy in methamphetamine addiction: A randomized, sham-controlled, single-blinded clinical trial

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Jaber Alizadehgoradel

Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran

10.22098/jrp.2023.12028.1152

Abstract

Although clinical findings support the significant effects of mindfulness and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on various disorders, especially Substance Use Disorder (SUD), their combined effect on methamphetamine addiction has not been investigated yet. This study examined the combined effect of mindfulness+tDCS therapy on Attentional Bias (AB) towards drug-related stimuli and craving in adolescents with methamphetamine addiction. The present research method is experimental. A total of 60 adolescents, with methamphetamine addiction were randomly assigned to the research groups, 20 people in each group aged between 18 and 21 (mindfulness group:12 sessions, two sessions per week), combined mindfulness + tDCS group (12 sessions mindfulness and +12 sessions tDCS), and sham group (12 sessions). The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was stimulated by DCS device with an intensity of 1.5 mA for 12 sessions of 20 minutes, and for psychological intervention the 12 sessions of 50 minutes mindfulness-based substance abuse treatment (MBSAT) was employed (2 sessions per week). AB and craving were measured before the intervention, after the 12 sessions and at one-month follow-up. Repeated measures analysis was used to analyze the data. The results showed that the combined mindfulness+tDCS therapy group was more effective in the modification of AB towards drug-related stimuli in 200 ms and 500 ms and craving. The results supported the increased effectiveness of tDCS combined with mindfulness in the modification of AB towards drug-related stimuli and craving in adolescents with methamphetamine addiction.

Keywords

20.1001.1.27833208.2023.4.13.2.5

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