Investigation of the Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Inhibitory Control Deficits and Tendency Toward Stimulant Substance Use in Students

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to examine whether transcranial direct current stimulation can effectively improve inhibitory control deficits and reduce students' tendency toward stimulant substance use.

Methods and Materials: This research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest format. The study population included all 12th-grade students with stimulant substance use attending the Atieh Roshan Addiction Treatment Center in Shahriar in 2024. A total of approximately 100 12th-grade students were present at this center. From this population, 40 individuals were selected as the sample, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, to conduct a targeted study. The statistical population consisted of all 12th-grade students aged 15 to 19 years with stimulant substance use in addiction treatment centers in Shahriar. Multivariate analysis of variance and SPSS26 software were used for data analysis.

Findings:  The results indicated the effectiveness of transcranial brain stimulation on emotional inhibition, aggression inhibition, mental rumination, benign inhibition, and the tendency toward stimulant substance use in students.

Conclusion:  It can be concluded that transcranial direct current stimulation can be effective in improving the psychological problems of individuals with substance use disorders.