Abstract
Background: The combined utilization of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and mindfulness training has the potential to yield more favorable outcomes in addressing mental health issues, yet its efficacy for chronic stress treatment is unclear. The present study aims to examine the effect of this combination on stress symptoms and accompanying anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances in individuals with chronic stress.
Methods: 109 participants with chronic stress were randomly assigned to four groups: sham, tDCS, mindfulness, and combination groups. All groups received a 6-day intervention, with one 20-minute session per day. The primary outcome was the change in participants' stress symptoms at baseline, post-test, one-week follow-up, and one-month follow-up. The secondary outcome was the assessment of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances, as well as the occurrence of adverse events.
Results: The results indicated that the combination group had significantly lower PSS-14 scores compared to the other three groups at post-test, 1-week follow-up, and 1-month follow-up (p < 0.001). The combination group had significantly lower GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores compared to the sham group at post-test (p = 0.011, p = 0.001), 1-week follow-up (p = 0.013, p < 0.001), and 1-month follow-up (p = 0.003, p < 0.001). The combination group also had significantly lower PSQI scores compared to the sham group at 1-month follow-up (p = 0.004).
Conclusions: The combination of tDCS and mindfulness training could improve symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances in individuals with chronic stress, and its improvement effect and duration of effect are better than those of monotherapy.