Insights and Future Directions on the Combined Effects of Mind-Body Therapies with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: An Evidence-based Review.
Ingrid Rebello-Sanchez, Karen Vasquez-Avila, Joao Parente, Kevin Pacheco-Barrios, Paulo S De Melo, Paulo E P Teixeira, Kian Jong, Wolnei Caumo, Felipe Fregni
The journal of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine January 1, 2022 DOI: 10.4103/ijprm.jisprm-000167 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractCombining mind-body therapies (MBTs) such as meditation, biofeedback, and hypnosis with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may produce synergistic effects by leveraging both mental techniques and brain stimulation to enhance neuroplasticity. A review of ten randomized clinical trials (total 461 participants) found that most combined protocols used meditation or mindfulness (8 of 10 studies), with one each for biofeedback and hypnosis. The trials varied widely in populations, designs, and outcomes. The authors provide methodological insights and future directions to help develop improved protocols for this emerging field.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 461 |
| Population | Participants in randomized clinical trials combining MBTs with tDCS |
| Interventions | mindfulness biofeedback Transcranial direct current stimulation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Biofeedback Hypnosis Mind body therapies |
| Key finding | A review of ten RCTs found that combining mind-body therapies with tDCS is a promising but heterogeneous field, with meditation and mindfulness being the most common MBTs tested. |
Abstract
Mind-body therapies (MBTs) use mental abilities to modify electrical neural activity across brain networks. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that modulates neuronal membrane potentials to enhance neuroplasticity. A combination of these treatment strategies may generate synergistic or additive effects, and thus has been more commonly tested in clinical trials, fostering a novel yet promising field of research. We conducted a literature search in four different databases including only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that tested the combination of MBTs with tDCS. Ten studies (n=461) were included. Combined protocols included meditation/mindfulness (8/10), biofeedback (1/10), and hypnosis (1/10). The RCTs were heterogeneous with regards to population, design, and types of outcomes. Based on the findings of this search, we provide here a content description, methodological and practical insights, and future directions for the field. We hope this review will provide future authors with information to facilitate the development of trials with improved protocols.