THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TRANSCRANIAL DIRECT CURRENT STIMULATION (TDCS) DEVICE ON REDUCING THE CRAVING OF METHADONE ADDICTS REFERRING TO ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTERS IN PAKDASHT TOWN

Background and Aim : This study was aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) device on reducing the craving of methadone addicts referred to addiction treatment centers in Pakdasht town.Methods : The present research is an experimental study designed with pre-test, post-test, and control group. In order to perform the research, 45 out of all addicts treated with methadone in clinics in Pakdasht town were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Fifteen were randomly assigned to the control group and 15 to the experimental group who underwent 10 sessions of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS). The Craving Questionnaire of Fadardi, Bar Erfan, and Ziaee (2008) was delivered to the subjects before and after the interventions to perform pre-test and post-testResults : The results of repeated measures variance analysis showed that TDCS resulted in a decreased craving rate (p<0.01).Conclusion : It can be concluded that the impact of TDCS on the reduction of craving of methadone addicts referring to the clinics has been significant.

Keywords:

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) Device , Craving , Methadone Addict