The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Self-Esteem and Weight: A Pilot Study on Overweight Individuals

Amirreza  Soleymani Mazar; Hassan  Gharayagh Zandi; Mahboubeh Ghayour  Najafabadi; Mohammad Hossein  Sorbi; Hossein Yari  Geshnigani

doi:10.18502/jsbch.v9i1.18692

Amirreza Soleymani Mazar Department of Sport Psychology, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Hassan Gharayagh Zandi Department of Sport Psychology, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Mahboubeh Ghayour Najafabadi Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Hossein Sorbi Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran
Hossein Yari Geshnigani Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Islamic Azad University Marvdasht Branch, Shiraz, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jsbch.v9i1.18692

Keywords: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Self-Esteem, Body Mass Index, Overweight, Physical Fitness Training

Abstract

Background: Low self-esteem and overweight are significant factors that can affect mental health and quality of life. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), as a non-pharmacological method, has the potential to affect physical and psychological health. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of tDCS on self-esteem and weight reduction in overweight individuals.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pretest-posttest design with a control group. A total of 24 men aged 20 to 40 years from gyms in Mashhad were selected through purposive sampling in 2024 and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The study utilized the following tools for data collection: demographic form, Eysenck Self-Esteem Questionnaire, and body mass index (BMI) measurement. Both groups participated in standard physical fitness training; however, the experimental group additionally received anodal tDCS (2 mA, 20 minutes per session, for 10 consecutive sessions). The control group received a sham stimulation protocol. Data were analyzed using one-way ANCOVA in SPSS-21.

Results: The findings indicated a significant difference in self-esteem between the two groups after controlling for the pretest effect (P = 0.004, F = 10.39). The effect size of tDCS on self-esteem was 33%, suggesting a moderate impact. However, the effect of tDCS on BMI was minimal and did not lead to significant weight reduction.

Conclusion: The results suggest that tDCS, in combination with physical exercise, can have a positive impact on self-esteem in overweight individuals, but does not significantly contribute to weight loss. Further research is recommended to explore long-term effects of this intervention.