Abstract
Creativity has previously been shown to improve after the application of direct and alternating current transcranial stimulation over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). However, previous studies have not tested whether transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) was efficient for this purpose. The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to investigate the effect of tRNS on both verbal convergent and (verbal and visual) divergent thinking during left DLPFC tRNS stimulation. Thirty healthy participants were randomly allocated to either a tRNS active group or a sham group. Each session lasted 20 min and the current was set to 1.5 mA (100–500 Hz). Participants’ verbal convergent thinking was assessed with the Remote Associates Test (RAT). Verbal and visual divergent thinking were respectively measured by using the Unusual Uses and Picture Completion subtests from the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking. Bootstrapped analysis of variance showed significant differences in the mean change scores between the active tRNS group and the sham group in RAT scores (d = 1.68); unusual uses: fluency (d = 2.29) and originality (d = 1.43); and general creativity (d = 1.45). Visual divergent thinking, in contrast, did not show any significant improvement. Our results suggested that tRNS over the left DLPFC is effective for increasing verbal divergent and convergent thinking.
Highlights
Creativity plays a key role in many areas of human life, as has been previously suggested[1]
Results confirmed that participants receiving real transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) over the Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) improved both verbal convergent thinking (RAT scores) and verbal divergent thinking (UU), but not visual divergent thinking
These results are in line with previous studies that used Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) over the left DLPFC13,15
Summary
Creativity plays a key role in many areas of human life, as has been previously suggested[1]. Colombo et al.[17] found a significant improvement in verbal divergent thinking (alternate uses task), but only after priming on creative thinking This last finding suggests that stimulation of the left DLPFC may induce higher divergent thinking scores by asking participants to deliberately search for more unusual answers. Another recent study[18] found an increase in insight problems (matchstick arithmetic problems) after cathodal (instead of anodal) stimulation of the left DLPFC This measure is mainly based on constraint relaxation, whereas verbal convergent thinking (RAT) and divergent thinking (Alternate Uses Task) require high-level selectivity processes. This kind of transcranial stimulation increases the excitability of the area under positively charged anodal electrode, and decreases the excitability of the area under the cathodal electrode[19]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
