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tDCS effect on prosocial behavior: a meta-analytic review.
Bo Yuan1, Serenella Tolomeo2, Chunliang Yang3
1Department of Psychology, Ningbo University, Zhejiang 315211, China.
Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
|May 24, 2021
Summary
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) shows small but significant effects on prosocial behaviors. Anodal tDCS increases prosociality, while cathodal tDCS decreases it, impacting the social brain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Social Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is investigated for its potential to influence prosocial behaviors.
- Existing randomized controlled trial results on tDCS and prosociality are inconsistent.
- The 'social brain' is implicated in regulating prosocial tendencies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis on single-session anodal and cathodal tDCS effects on prosocial behaviors in healthy young adults.
- To explore potential moderators, such as stimulation parameters and behavior types, influencing tDCS effects.
- To provide a robust assessment of tDCS impact on prosociality and its neural underpinnings.
Main Methods:
- A multilevel meta-analytic model was employed to synthesize data from relevant studies.
- Single-session protocols of anodal (excitatory) and cathodal (inhibitory) tDCS were analyzed.
- Prosocial behaviors were assessed as the primary outcome measure.
Main Results:
- Anodal tDCS significantly increased prosocial behaviors (g = 0.27, P = 0.001) compared to sham stimulation.
- Cathodal tDCS significantly decreased prosocial behaviors (g = -0.19, P = 0.051) compared to sham stimulation.
- No significant modulation of effects was found based on stimulation parameters or prosocial behavior types; minimal publication bias was detected.
Conclusions:
- Both anodal and cathodal tDCS exert small but statistically significant effects on prosocial behaviors.
- These findings support the link between prosocial behaviors and the functional activity of the 'social brain'.
- Further research is warranted to explore tDCS efficacy in treating social dysfunctions in psychiatric disorders.
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