The effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), with and without positive mood induction, in individuals with high levels of worry.

The effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation with and without positive mood induction in improving symptoms and transdiagnostic indicators (attentional bias, emotion regulation, working memory, and problem-solving) in high worriers

Status

Recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

IRCT

Registry ID

IRCT20250519065800N1

Enrollment

Registered

2025-05-29

Start date

2025-06-05

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2025-07-21

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

high levels of worry.

Interventions

Intervention 1: Intervention group: The group receiving transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) will have the cathode electrode placed over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and

however, the stimulation procedure will differ. In both the experimental and pla

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to 35 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Aged between 18 and 35 years, willing to participate in therapy sessions, right-handed, and having a high level of worry (scoring between 45 and 62 on the PSWQ).

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Presence of neuropsychological disorders or brain diseases such as epilepsy, presence of psychiatric disorders and use of psychiatric medications, concurrent psychological or neurocognitive interventions, occurrence of headache during tDCS stimulation, and absence from more than two therapy sessions.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Worry score obtained from the Penn State Worry Questionnaire. Timepoint: Before the intervention, After the intervention, One month after the intervention. Method of measurement: The Penn State Worry Questionnaire.;Problem-solving. Timepoint: Before the intervention, After the intervention, One month after the intervention. Method of measurement: Tower of London task software.;Working memory. Timepoint: Before the intervention, After the intervention, One month after the intervention. Method of measurement: N-back task software.;Attentional bias. Timepoint: Before the intervention, After the intervention, One month after the intervention. Method of measurement: Dot Probe software.;Emotion regulation. Timepoint: Before the intervention, After the intervention, One month after the intervention. Method of measurement: Score obtained from the Gross Emotion Regulation Questionnaire.	—

Measure

Time frame

Worry score obtained from the Penn State Worry Questionnaire. Timepoint: Before the intervention, After the intervention, One month after the intervention. Method of measurement: The Penn State Worry Questionnaire.;Problem-solving. Timepoint: Before the intervention, After the intervention, One month after the intervention. Method of measurement: Tower of London task software.;Working memory. Timepoint: Before the intervention, After the intervention, One month after the intervention. Method of measurement: N-back task software.;Attentional bias. Timepoint: Before the intervention, After the intervention, One month after the intervention. Method of measurement: Dot Probe software.;Emotion regulation. Timepoint: Before the intervention, After the intervention, One month after the intervention. Method of measurement: Score obtained from the Gross Emotion Regulation Questionnaire.

—

Countries

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Contacts

Public ContactFatemeh Shahsavari

The University of Kurdistan

fatemeh.shahsavari7513@gmail.com+98 83 3837 7978

Outcome results

None listed

Source: IRCT (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026