Modulating Presence and Impulsiveness with Brain Stimulation
Author Information
Author(s): Beeli Gian, Casutt Gianclaudio, Baumgartner Thomas, Jäncke Lutz
Primary Institution: University of Zürich, Switzerland
Hypothesis
The feeling of being present in a virtual environment is enhanced if the excitability of the dlPFC is decreased.
Conclusion
Applying tDCS to the right dlPFC can influence impulsivity and physiological responses while watching a virtual roller coaster, but does not affect self-reported presence.
Supporting Evidence
- Cathodal tDCS increased impulsivity as measured by false alarms in the Go-Nogo task.
- SCR was significantly higher during cathodal tDCS compared to sham and anodal conditions.
- No significant differences were found in self-reported presence across tDCS conditions.
Takeaway
The study shows that changing how active a part of the brain is can change how impulsive people feel and how their body reacts when they watch a virtual roller coaster.
Methodology
Participants underwent tDCS while watching a virtual roller coaster, and their impulsiveness and physiological responses were measured.
Limitations
Subjective measures of presence did not differ across conditions, indicating potential unreliability in self-reported experiences.
Participant Demographics
35 participants (17 female, 18 male) with a mean age of 24.9 years, all right-handed and without neurological or psychiatric history.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.03
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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