Abstract
Results: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the brain had a significant effect on impulsivity and working memory in adolescentswith attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. After controlling for the pre-test effect on post-test scores, there was a significant difference between the two groups at the 0.05 error level, indicating a decrease in impulsivity and improvement in working memory.
Introduction: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation method that can alter cortical excitability by applying a weak electrical current to the scalp. The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation of the brain on impulsivity and working memory in adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Method: The research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest and control group. The statistical population included adolescent clients of counseling centers in Yazd in 2024. The sample consisted of 30 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years diagnosed with ADHD, selected through convenience sampling. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). The research instruments included the N-back working memory test and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). Data were analyzed using covariance analysis (ANCOVA) with SPSS version 25.
Results: The results showed that transcranial direct current stimulation had a significant effect on impulsivity and working memory in adolescents with ADHD. After controlling for pretest scores, a significant difference was observed between the two groups, indicating a decrease in impulsivity and an improvement in working memory (Impulsivity: F(1,27)=53.21, p=0.001; Working Memory: F(1,27)=50.23, p=0.001). The effect size was η²=0.47 for impulsivity and η²=0.39 for working memory, demonstrating the strong impact of the intervention.
Discussion and Conclusion: The findings indicate that transcranial direct current stimulation can effectively reduce impulsivity and enhance working memory in adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.