Shahid Beheshti University Applied Psychology 2008-4331 19 3 2025 08 23 Comparison of the Effectiveness of tACS and tDCS on Craving Reduction and Cognitive Functions Comparison of the Effectiveness of tACS and tDCS on Craving Reduction and Cognitive Functions 30 54 105304 10.48308/apsy.2025.236989.1709 FA Farnush Bagheban-Sadati Master’s Student in Rehabilitation Counseling, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Tehran, Iran. 0009-0003-2547-3998 Saeed Imani Associate Professor, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran 0000-0001-5290-2995 Vahid Sadeghi-Firoozabadi Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran 0000-0002-9524-6120 Jaber Alizadehgoradel Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran. 0000-0003-4803-0607 Journal Article 2024 09 24 Aim: According to neurocognitive models of addiction, the initiation and persistence of substance use disorders are associated with cognitive deficits and reduced activity in prefrontal regions, particularly the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of DLPFC stimulation in methamphetamine addiction and to compare the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in reducing craving, negative emotional experiences, and cognitive deficits. Methods: Forty-five individuals undergoing treatment at a rehabilitation center were randomly assigned to three groups: tDCS, tACS, and sham stimulation. Participants received ten stimulation sessions over five weeks. Cognitive functions and craving levels were assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and one month later. Results: Both the tDCS and tACS groups demonstrated significant improvements in cognitive functioning and reductions in craving compared to baseline and the sham group, both immediately post-intervention and at one-month follow-up. Conclusion: Repeated DLPFC stimulation using tDCS or tACS appears to improve cognitive functions and reduce craving in individuals with methamphetamine use disorder. Further studies with longer follow-up periods are recommended. Aim: According to neurocognitive models of addiction, the initiation and persistence of substance use disorders are associated with cognitive deficits and reduced activity in prefrontal regions, particularly the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of DLPFC stimulation in methamphetamine addiction and to compare the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in reducing craving, negative emotional experiences, and cognitive deficits. Methods: Forty-five individuals undergoing treatment at a rehabilitation center were randomly assigned to three groups: tDCS, tACS, and sham stimulation. Participants received ten stimulation sessions over five weeks. Cognitive functions and craving levels were assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and one month later. Results: Both the tDCS and tACS groups demonstrated significant improvements in cognitive functioning and reductions in craving compared to baseline and the sham group, both immediately post-intervention and at one-month follow-up. Conclusion: Repeated DLPFC stimulation using tDCS or tACS appears to improve cognitive functions and reduce craving in individuals with methamphetamine use disorder. Further studies with longer follow-up periods are recommended.

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