Skip to content

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)

Read Full Text
Relevant Not relevant

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.

Comparable studies

Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment 2003 Randomized controlled trial n = 41
Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients 2000 Randomized controlled trial n = 145
Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults 2008 Randomized controlled trial n = 139
Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students 2007 Randomized controlled trial n = 40
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients 2004 Randomized controlled trial n = 73

Citations in the library

Cited by 4

Cites 5

Related reading

Explore topics

Meditation