Modulation of mind wandering using transcranial direct current stimulation: A meta-analysis based on electric field...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Mind wandering (MW) involves task-unrelated thoughts and its modulation via non-invasive brain stimulation is of growing interest.
• Previous single-session transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) studies in healthy controls yielded inconsistent results, potentially due to methodological variations.

Approach:

• A systematic meta-analysis was conducted on 15 studies investigating tDCS targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (lDLPFC) and right inferior parietal lobule (rIPL) for MW propensity.
• Computational modeling of electric fields controlled for tDCS dosage, while an extended risk of bias (RoB) assessment evaluated methodological quality.

Key Points:

• Risk of bias (RoB) significantly predicted study outcomes, highlighting methodological quality as a critical factor.
• Anodal stimulation of the right inferior parietal lobule (rIPL) showed a negative association with MW propensity, suggesting its potential for modulation.
• Electric field strength in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (lDLPFC) did not correlate with MW propensity.

Conclusions:

• Current evidence for tDCS influencing MW in healthy individuals is unreliable, with significant methodological limitations identified.
• Increasing neural excitability in the rIPL via tDCS may be a promising avenue for reducing MW propensity.
• Exploratory findings suggest that tDCS targeting prefrontal areas outside the lDLPFC might increase MW propensity.