Cognitive appraisal modulates Theta Burst Stimulation effects on stress-reactive rumination and affect

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is crucial for cognitive appraisal and stress regulation.
• Secondary appraisal, assessing coping abilities, significantly impacts psychological and physiological stress responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of different Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS) types on the left DLPFC.
• To examine how secondary cognitive appraisal affects psychological and physiological responses to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) after TBS.
• To understand the interaction between cognitive appraisal and TBS in modulating stress responses.

Main Methods:

• Applied intermittent (i)TBS, continuous (c)TBS, and sham (s)TBS to the left DLPFC.
• Assessed psychological responses (rumination, affect) and physiological markers (heart rate, HRV, cortisol) during the TSST.
• Analyzed the moderating role of secondary cognitive appraisal on TBS effects.

Main Results:

• Cognitive appraisal significantly influenced rumination and affect during stress recovery, depending on the TBS type.
• Greater perceived control correlated with faster recovery of ruminative thinking after sTBS and lower rumination overall.
• Both cTBS and iTBS showed beneficial effects, with faster negative affect recovery and positive affect decrease post-TSST.
• No significant impact of appraisal was observed on heart rate, heart rate variability, or salivary cortisol.

Conclusions:

• The impact of secondary appraisal on psychological stress outcomes is modulated by the type of TBS applied.
• TBS may influence stress recovery, particularly psychological aspects, potentially via DLPFC activity.
• Further research is required to elucidate the precise neurostimulation mechanisms involved in these interactions.