The combined effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation with mindfulness-based training on rumination

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K13743
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 10040:Experimental psychology-related
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Miyauchi Eri 筑波大学, システム情報系, 助教 (40882874)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ニューロエンハンスメント / 脳リズム / TMS-EEG / rTMS / メタ認知 / マインドフルネス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique to modulate neural activity and induce cognitive and behavior changes, and expected to reduce psychiatric symptoms such as rumination. To make TMS to be more effective, recent studies suggest combining TMS with cognitive interventions such as psychotherapy.
In this research, our first study which combined repetitive TMS (rTMS) with electroencephalogram demonstrated the effectiveness of using rTMS to the task-relevant location at the task-relevant stimulation frequency to modulate cognitive and behavioral performance. We then investigated the combined effect of rTMS with a brief mindfulness-based practice, both of which targeted to improve metacognitive processing. Metacognition is considered to be a key to reduce rumination. Our results suggest the possible usefulness of combined approach of TMS with psychological interventions on cognitive function.

Free Research Field

実験心理学関連

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究によって、TMSとマインドフルネス訓練の組合せによる相乗効果の可能性が示唆された。マインドフルネス訓練は、メタ認知機能の向上に関して持続的な効果を示すが、そのような効果が出るまでに時間がかかることが課題になる。一方で、TMSは即効性があるものの、効果の持続が課題となる。本研究の発展により、両者の作用メカニズムが適用となる様々な認知機能や精神疾患を対象として、即効性・持続性のある新たな介入手法を提案できる可能性がある。