tDCS effect on prosocial behavior: a meta-analytic review

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) could potentially promote prosocial behaviors. However, results from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are inconsistent. The current meta-analysis aimed to assess the effects of anodal and cathode tDCS using single session protocols on prosocial behaviors in healthy young adults, and explore potential moderators of these effects. The results showed that compared with sham stimulation, anodal (excitatory) stimulation significantly increased (g = 0.27, 95% CI [0.11, 0.43], Z = 3.30, p = 0.001) and cathodal (inhibitory) stimulation significantly decreased prosocial behaviors (g = -0.19, 95% CI [-0.39, -0.01], Z = -1.95, p = 0.051) using a multilevel meta-analytic model. These effects were not significantly modulated by stimulation parameters (e.g., duration, intensity and site) and types of prosocial behavior. The risk of publication bias for the included effects was minimal and no selective reporting (e.g., p-hacking) was found in the p-curve analysis. This meta-analysis showed that both anodal and cathode tDCS have small but significant effects on prosocial behaviors. The current study provides evidence that prosocial behaviors are linked to the activity of the ‘social brain’. Future studies are encouraged to further explore whether tDCS could effectively treat social dysfunctions in psychiatry disorders.

The influence of generativity on purpose in life is mediated by social support and moderated by prefrontal functional connectivity in at-risk older adults

“…Neurostimulation studies implicating dlPFC in social decision making have shown seemingly divergent results with both excitation and inhibition of this region increasing prosociality (Yuan et al, 2022). Gross et al (2018) attempted to explain these discrepant findings.…”

Understanding the Relationship between Parental Psychological Control and Prosocial Behavior in Children in China: The Role of Self-Efficacy and Gender

“…The study aimed to understand the relationship between parental psychological control and prosocial behavior in children and adolescents. Understanding the influences of parenting styles on child development is a critical task of developmental psychology [ 56 ], and prosocial behavior is a vital component of developmental goals with a composite and multidimensional construct [ 57 ]. Due to this importance and omnipresence, prosocial behavior has received considerable attention around the world [ 58 ].…”

“…Parental control has been found to have an important effect on self-efficacy in many studies [ 70 , 71 ]. A good family environment gives children more attention and support, which results in higher self-efficacy [ 57 , 72 ]. Meanwhile, various studies suggest that self-efficacy is determinant of prosocial behavior [ 22 , 73 ].…”

Uncovering the links between physical activity and prosocial behaviour: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy hyperscanning study on brain connectivity and synchrony

“…[18][19][20] Cognitive control and the DLPFC play prominent roles in complying with social norms, including those related to fairness. 34,35 The causal association of DLPFC function with prosocial behaviour has been demonstrated as decreased and increased prosocial decisions through cathodal (inhibitory) and anodal (excitatory) transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), respectively, over the DLPFC. 34 Considering that physical activity has been shown to be associated with greater cognitive control and DLPFC function, [15][16][17] it is plausible to hypothesise that physical activity is positively associated with prosocial behaviour.…”

“…34,35 The causal association of DLPFC function with prosocial behaviour has been demonstrated as decreased and increased prosocial decisions through cathodal (inhibitory) and anodal (excitatory) transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), respectively, over the DLPFC. 34 Considering that physical activity has been shown to be associated with greater cognitive control and DLPFC function, [15][16][17] it is plausible to hypothesise that physical activity is positively associated with prosocial behaviour. The second LPFC system of interest in this study was inter-brain synchrony, which involves neural oscillations within specific frequency bands that synchronise across the brains of individuals engaged in social interactions.…”