Effectiveness of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) and Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) in Treating Anxiety, Depression, Attentional Bias, and Drug Craving in Opioid-Dependent Patients; A Randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction: Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) pose significant challenges globally, with opiate addiction being particularly prevalent. This study investigates the impact of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at 10 Hz and individual alpha frequencies (IAF), along with cognitive bias modification (CBM), on drug craving, anxiety, depression, and attention bias in individuals with SUDs. Methods: Participants (N = 72) were allocated to control, tACS 10 Hz, tACS IAF, Sham, CBM, and CBM+tACS groups (n = 12 each). Measures included demographic questionnaires, dot probe tasks, Desires for Drug Questionnaires (DDQ), DASS-21 assessments, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for craving. Mixed repeated measures ANOVA were conducted, revealing significant interactions (TIME*GROUP), indicating differential treatment effects over time. Findings: The study involved 72 substance abusers divided into six groups: control, tACS.10 Hz, tACS Real, Sham, CBM, and CBM+tACS. Demographic variables were similar among groups. Mixed ANOVA showed significant TIME*GROUP interactions for all assessments. Significant differences were found in depression, anxiety, drug dependence, and visual analog scale measures. Top of Form Conclusion: In summary, while tACS and CBM alone did not significantly reduce substance-related outcomes, their combined approach showed promise. This study highlights the brain's adaptability to electrical stimulation and underscores the need for further exploration in understanding and treating SUDs. Limitations include restricted participant access and reliance on verbal induction of craving, emphasizing the need for robust study designs and diverse measures in future research.