Down-Regulation of Negative Emotional Processing by Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: Effects of Personality Characteristics
2011

Effects of tDCS on Emotion Regulation and Personality

Sample size: 16 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Peña-Gómez Cleofé, Vidal-Piñeiro Dídac, Clemente Immaculada C., Pascual-Leone Álvaro, Bartrés-Faz David

Primary Institution: Universitat de Barcelona

Hypothesis

Does transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) modulate emotional valence ratings based on personality traits?

Conclusion

Anodal tDCS over the left DLPFC reduces the perceived negativity of emotional stimuli, with effects varying by personality traits.

Supporting Evidence

  • Anodal tDCS reduced the perceived negativity of emotional stimuli.
  • Personality traits, particularly introversion, influenced the effects of tDCS.
  • Participants rated negative pictures as less negative after receiving active tDCS.

Takeaway

This study shows that a special type of brain stimulation can help people feel less negative about sad pictures, especially if they are more introverted.

Methodology

The study used a randomized, sham-controlled, crossover design with 16 right-handed women who received either active or sham tDCS while rating emotional pictures.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the small sample size and the exclusion of male participants.

Limitations

The sample size is small, and the effects may not generalize beyond the studied population.

Participant Demographics

16 right-handed healthy women, mean age 22.93 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.036

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0022812

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