Comparison of Mindfulness-Based Training and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Cognitive Load in Electronics Students in Tehran
Keywords:
Mindfulness, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Cognitive Load, Students, Experimental StudyAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness-based training and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in reducing cognitive load among electronics students in Tehran.
Methods and Materials: A semi-experimental design with pretest–posttest and a two-month follow-up, including two experimental groups and one control group, was employed. Forty-five eligible students were randomly assigned to mindfulness-based training, tDCS, or control groups (n=15 each). Mindfulness training was delivered in eight 90-minute sessions, while tDCS was administered in ten 30-minute sessions. Data were analyzed using mixed-design repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests.
Findings: The results indicated significant main effects of time and group, as well as a significant time×group interaction on cognitive load (p<0.01). Both interventions significantly reduced cognitive load compared to the control group. tDCS demonstrated a significantly greater immediate reduction at posttest; however, no significant difference was observed between the two interventions at the two-month follow-up (p=0.075).
Conclusion: Both mindfulness-based training and tDCS are effective approaches for reducing cognitive load in electronics students; while tDCS yields stronger short-term effects, both interventions show comparable long-term effectiveness.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Nazanin Shafiei Far, Khadijeh Abolmaali Alhosseini, Ameneh sadat Kazemi , Mehrdad Sabet (Author)
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