None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The study is investigating the capacity of tDCS to alter ‘emotional processing bias’. Emotional processing bias refers to the interaction of cognitive and emotional processing that result in unconscious preferential processing of emotional stimuli of a certain valence (e.g. unconscious preference for positive or negative stimuli and information). We all have unconscious biases in our emotional processing. A positive emotional processing bias has been linked to aspects of mental health and maladaptive biases are a key component of many mental illnesses, such as depression. Very few studies have investigated whether tDCS can alter emotional processing bias, and due to methodological limitations the findings of those small number that have are inconclusive. Also, no studies to date have investigated the patterns of brain activity associated with tDCS and bias modification.
Interventions
Intervention 1: 1 mA transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Anodal stimulation will be applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the cathode will be placed over the right orbit. Stimulation will be delivered for for 20-minutes using a Starstim/Neuroelectrics stimulator and will be administered with concurrent attentional bias modification training. Attentional bias modification is a computerised dot-probe task. It involves simultaneous presentation of positive and negative
Intervention 1: 1 mA transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Anodal stimulation will be applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the cathode will be placed over the right orbit. Stimulation will be delivered for for 20-minutes using a Starstim/Neuroelectrics stimulator and will be administered with concurrent attentional bias modification training. Attentional bias modification is a computerised dot-probe task. It involves simultaneous presentation of positive and negative stimuli and repeated orientation of attention towards the positive stimuli via dot probe. All participants will complete two experimental sessions, one each of the following: - active tDCS + attentional bias modification training - sham tDCS + attentional bias modification training Sessions will be conducted a minimum of 72-hours apart and interventions will be administered by a single trained researcher. Session order will follow a pre-determined randomisation schedule.
Sponsors
Monash University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Primary purpose
Treatment
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
1. Are voluntary and competent to consent 2. Are right handed 3. Have no history of traumatic brain injury, cognitive impairment (learning difficulty, ADHD), neurological or mental illness
Exclusion criteria
1. Are currently pregnant or lactating 2. Have epilepsy or a history of seizure 3. Currently taking any psychoactive medications 4. Have metal anywhere in the head, except the mouth. This includes metallic objects such as screws and slips from surgical procedures
Outcome results
None listed