Effect of combined yoga and transcranial direct current stimulation intervention on working memory and mindfulness.
Marlon Danilewitz, Sihaoyu Gao, Mohammad Ali Salehinejad, Ruiyang Ge, Michael A Nitsche, Fidel Vila-Rodriguez
Journal of Integrative Neuroscience June 30, 2021 DOI: 10.31083/j.jin2002036 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized double-blind crossover trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 22 |
| Population | Healthy volunteers with a regular yoga practice |
| Intervention | Yoga |
| Duration | Two separate intervention days |
| Measures | n-back task, Toronto Mindfulness Scale |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Cognition Transcranial direct-current stimulation Working memory Yoga |
| Key findings | Active transcranial direct-current stimulation did not significantly improve working memory or mindfulness compared with sham stimulation when combined with yoga. A significant placebo effect was observed, with better performance on day 1 regardless of whether active or sham stimulation was given. The authors suggest the null finding may be due to the small sample, the transient intervention, non-simultaneous tDCS and yoga, and the stimulation site. |
Abstract
Transcranial direct stimulation, a non-invasive neurostimulation technique for modulating cortical excitability, and yoga have both respectively been shown to positively affect cognition. While preliminary research has shown that combined transcranial direct stimulation and meditation may have synergistic effects on mood and cognition, this was the first study to explore the combination of transcranial direct stimulation and yoga. Twenty-two healthy volunteers with a regular yoga practice were randomized to receive either active transcranial direct stimulation (anodal left, cathodal right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) followed by yoga intervention or sham transcranial direct stimulation followed by yoga intervention a double-blind, cross-over design over two separate intervention days. Outcome measures included working memory performance, measured with the n-back task and mindfulness state, measured with the Toronto Mindfulness Scale, and were conducted offline, with pre-post assessments. Twenty participants completed both days of the intervention. Active transcranial direct stimulation did not have a significant effect on working memory or levels of mindfulness. There was a significant placebo effect, with better performance on day 1 of the intervention, irrespective of whether participants received active or sham transcranial direct stimulation. There was no significant difference between active versus sham transcranial direct stimulation concerning working memory performance and mindfulness, which may be accounted by the small sample size, the transient nature of the intervention, the fact that yoga and transcranial direct stimulation concerning were not conducted simultaneously, and the specific site of stimulation.