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Examining the Effect of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation and Cognitive Training on Processing Speed in Pediatric

Ornella Dakwar-Kawar1, Itai Berger2,3, Snir Barzilay1

  • 1School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|August 15, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) combined with cognitive training (CT) significantly improved processing speed (PS) in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), especially when experiencing mental fatigue.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatric Psychology
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • Processing speed (PS) is often impaired in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • The impact of targeted ADHD treatments on PS, particularly under conditions of mental fatigue, remains under-investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of transcranial electric stimulation (tES) combined with cognitive training (CT) on PS in children with ADHD.
  • To examine how mental fatigue influences PS changes following tES + CT interventions.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, active-controlled crossover study involving 19 unmedicated children with ADHD.
  • Participants received either anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) or transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) alongside CT.
  • PS was assessed using the MOXO-CPT before and after treatment, evaluating performance under varying mental fatigue and cognitive load conditions.

Main Results:

  • Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) combined with CT demonstrated superior improvements in PS compared to transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) plus CT.
  • These benefits were most pronounced under conditions of increased mental fatigue.
  • Sustained improvements in PS were observed at a 1-week follow-up assessment.

Conclusions:

  • Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) coupled with cognitive training (CT) shows promise for enhancing processing speed in pediatric ADHD.
  • This combined approach appears particularly effective in mitigating the negative effects of mental fatigue on cognitive performance in children with ADHD.
Abstract

Keywords:
ADHDCPTcognitive fatigueinhibitory controlprocessing speedtDCStRNStranscranial electrical stimulation

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