Mindfulness augmentation for anxiety through concurrent use of transcranial direct current stimulation: a randomized double-blind study
Keiichiro Nishida, Yosuke Morishima, Roberto Domingo Pascual-Marqui, Shota Minami, Tomonari Yamane, Masahito Michikura, Hideki Ishikawa, Toshihiko Kinoshita
Scientific Reports November 23, 2021 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02177-3 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Double-blind randomized study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 58 |
| Population | Healthy individuals |
| Intervention | Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) |
| Duration | 20 min intervention; follow-up immediately, 60 min, and 1 week after |
| Measures | State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State Anxiety (STAI), electroencephalograms (EEG) |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Citations | 11 |
| Key points | Active tDCS combined with treadmill-walking mindfulness showed a significant interaction effect on state anxiety at one week after the intervention compared with sham. Alpha-band current density in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex was significantly reduced in the active group, and changes in trait anxiety correlated with this current density in the active group, suggesting EEG may predict anxiolytic effects. |
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have revealed the capability to augment various types of behavioural interventions. We aimed to augment the effects of mindfulness, suggested for reducing anxiety, with concurrent use of tDCS. We conducted a double-blind randomized study with 58 healthy individuals. We introduced treadmill walking for focused meditation and active or sham tDCS on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for 20 min. We evaluated outcomes using State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State Anxiety (STAI) before the intervention as well as immediately, 60 min, and 1 week after the intervention, and current density from electroencephalograms (EEG) before and after the intervention. The linear mixed-effect models demonstrated that STAI-state anxiety showed a significant interaction effect between 1 week after the intervention and tDCS groups. As for alpha-band EEG activity, the current density in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) was significantly reduced in the active compared with the sham stimulation group, and a significant correlation was seen between changes in STAI-trait anxiety and the current density of the rACC in the active stimulation group. Our study provided that despite this being a one-shot and short intervention, the reduction in anxiety lasts for one week, and EEG could potentially help predict its anxiolytic effect.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- Combination of non-invasive brain stimulation with mindfulness-based interventions for anxiety and depression symptoms: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience November 17, 2024
- Mindfulness practices and transcranial direct current stimulation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of self-reported mindfulness. Brain and Cognition May 27, 2025
- Using Electroencephalography to Advance Mindfulness Science: A Survey of Emerging Methods and Approaches. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging April 1, 2025
- Enhancing Equanimity With Noninvasive Brain Stimulation: A Novel Framework for Mindfulness Interventions. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging April 1, 2025
- Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation and mindful walking on directional brain connectivity: An isolated effective coherence analysis Clinical Neurophysiology Practice 2026
and 2 more in the library
Cites 8
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- AN ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC STUDY ON THE ZEN MEDITATION (ZAZEN) Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences December 1, 1966
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Older Adults: Effects on Executive Function, Frontal Alpha Asymmetry and Immune Function Neuropsychobiology 2013
- Treatment of Resistant Depression: A Pilot Study Assessing the Efficacy of a tDCS-Mindfulness Program Compared With a tDCS-Relaxation Program Frontiers in Psychiatry October 23, 2019
and 3 more in the library