Purpose of Review <p>This review outlines the effects of combining cognitive training (CT) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) across various neuropsychiatric disorders. Given the limited effectiveness of pharmacological treatments on cognitive symptoms, tDCS and CT provide an alternative to treat these symptoms across neuropsychiatric disorders.</p> Methodology <p>A systematic search of MEDLINE and Scopus databases was performed up to February 11, 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) combining tDCS and CT for various neuropsychiatric disorders in the English language were included. Studies on neurological, healthy populations, or non-RCT designs were excluded. A final total of 27 studies were included.</p> Recent Findings <p>RCTs suggest that tDCS combined with cognitive training improves domain-specific cognitive deficits across several neuropsychiatric disorders. In schizophrenia, three studies reported improvements in working memory, two studies showed gains in attention, and two reported benefits in verbal memory. In MCI/dementia, working memory improvements were noted in four studies, attention in three, verbal memory in four, and processing speed in two. In individuals with ASD, executive functions improved in three studies, social functioning in three, processing speed in two, and emotion recognition in one. In depression, two studies showed improvements in visuospatial memory and one in verbal memory. In opioid and methamphetamine use disorders, decision-making improved in two studies and working memory in one.</p> Summary <p>tDCS combined with CT holds promise for enhancing cognition in neuropsychiatric conditions. However, findings remain inconsistent due to variability in study design, CT protocols, and outcome measures. The underlying mechanisms and impact on overall functioning remain unexplored. Future research should focus on standardization, mechanistic understanding, and long-term functional outcomes to establish its clinical relevance.</p>

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Integration of Cognitive Training and tDCS in Neuropsychiatric Disorders - A Scoping Review

  • Harsh Pathak,
  • Vyoma Shah,
  • Vanteemar S. Sreeraj,
  • Ganesan Venkatasubramanian

摘要

Purpose of Review

This review outlines the effects of combining cognitive training (CT) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) across various neuropsychiatric disorders. Given the limited effectiveness of pharmacological treatments on cognitive symptoms, tDCS and CT provide an alternative to treat these symptoms across neuropsychiatric disorders.

Methodology

A systematic search of MEDLINE and Scopus databases was performed up to February 11, 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) combining tDCS and CT for various neuropsychiatric disorders in the English language were included. Studies on neurological, healthy populations, or non-RCT designs were excluded. A final total of 27 studies were included.

Recent Findings

RCTs suggest that tDCS combined with cognitive training improves domain-specific cognitive deficits across several neuropsychiatric disorders. In schizophrenia, three studies reported improvements in working memory, two studies showed gains in attention, and two reported benefits in verbal memory. In MCI/dementia, working memory improvements were noted in four studies, attention in three, verbal memory in four, and processing speed in two. In individuals with ASD, executive functions improved in three studies, social functioning in three, processing speed in two, and emotion recognition in one. In depression, two studies showed improvements in visuospatial memory and one in verbal memory. In opioid and methamphetamine use disorders, decision-making improved in two studies and working memory in one.

Summary

tDCS combined with CT holds promise for enhancing cognition in neuropsychiatric conditions. However, findings remain inconsistent due to variability in study design, CT protocols, and outcome measures. The underlying mechanisms and impact on overall functioning remain unexplored. Future research should focus on standardization, mechanistic understanding, and long-term functional outcomes to establish its clinical relevance.