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Effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation with and without positive mood induction on worry and
Fateme Shahsavari1, Farzad Nasiri1, Mehdi Zemestani1
1Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.
Physiology & Behavior
|August 4, 2026
Summary
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) effectively reduces worry and improves cognitive functions. Combining tDCS with positive mood induction yields superior and lasting benefits for individuals experiencing high levels of worry.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- High levels of worry are associated with significant impairments in cognitive-emotional processes.
- Transdiagnostic cognitive-emotional factors like attentional bias and emotion regulation are crucial in maintaining worry.
- Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques offer potential therapeutic avenues for conditions characterized by worry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on worry and related cognitive-emotional processes.
- To compare the effects of tDCS alone versus tDCS combined with positive mood induction.
- To assess the sustained impact of these interventions on individuals with high worry.
Main Methods:
- A single-blind randomized controlled trial involving 45 participants with high worry.
- Three groups: tDCS alone, tDCS with positive mood induction, and sham control.
- Assessment of attentional bias, working memory, problem solving, emotion regulation, and worry severity at pretest, posttest, and one-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- Both active tDCS groups showed significant improvements in attentional bias, worry, working memory, problem solving, and emotion regulation compared to the sham group.
- The combined tDCS and positive mood induction group demonstrated significantly greater improvements across all measured outcomes compared to tDCS alone.
- These beneficial effects were sustained at the one-month follow-up for all groups.
Conclusions:
- Transcranial direct current stimulation is effective in reducing worry and attentional bias while enhancing cognitive and emotional regulation in individuals with high worry.
- Combining tDCS with positive mood induction leads to more pronounced and enduring improvements than tDCS alone.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms behind the augmented benefits of combined interventions.
