Violence is a public health concern. However, treatment to reduce violence, for example in forensic patients, is found not to be effective. One strategy for optimizing treatment could be to add a neuromodulation technique in addition to treatment as usual.
Research conducted by scientists of the Erasmus University Rotterdam and Harvard Medical School in collaboration with Parnassia Groep shows the potential of a brain modulation intervention in violent forensic patients to reduce violence.
The current study tested the effectiveness of high definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) as a treatment to increase empathic abilities and reduce violence in forensic patients. In addition, tDCS effects on electrophysiological measures were examined.
The results showed that patients who received the tDCS treatment decreased in aggressive responses and self-reported aggression. Furthermore, higher electrophysiological responses (i.e. more arousal, more empathy) were found when patients viewed pictures depicting victims of aggression compared to neutral scenes.
Therefore, the researchers concluded that this study is a ‘proof of concept’ showing the potential of a brain modulation intervention to use as a treatment in violent forensic patients.
Download the preprint on PsyRxiv:
Authors: Carmen S. Sergiou, Emiliano Santarnecchi, Ingmar H.A. Franken, Eric Rassin, Nico van Beveren, Josanne D.M. van Dongen
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