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The effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on cognitive flexibility among undergraduates with insomnia symptoms: A prospective, single-blind, randomized control trial

Year: 2025

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS) has been widely used in the treatment of insomnia, but there is a lack of research on whether this method could enhance the cognitive flexibility(CF) of individuals with insomnia symptoms. To investigate the effects of rTMS on the CF of undergraduates with insomnia symptoms. 29 participants were randomly assigned into Active group( n = 15) and Sham group( n = 14), receiving 1 Hz rTMS interventions targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for 2 weeks, comprising 10 sessions (active vs sham stimulation). Sleep quality and CF were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index(ISI), Cognitive Flexibility Inventory(CFI), and the Number-Letter Task (N-L task) at baseline(T0), post-intervention(T1), and 8 weeks’ follow-up(T2), and event-related potential(ERP) data during the N-L task were recorded. Following the intervention, compared to the Sham group, the ISI and PSQI scores in the Active group were significantly decreased, and the CFI score was significantly increased ( P < 0.01); the results of the N-L task indicated that at T1, the switch cost of reaction time and accuracy for the Sham group were significantly higher than those for the Active group( P < 0.05). ERP analysis indicated that at T2, under switch conditions, the amplitude of the frontal area P2 in the Active group was significantly greater than that in the Sham group, and the beta-band ERD at parietal region in the Active group was significantly lower than that in the Sham group ( P < 0.05). rTMS could improve sleep quality and enhance the CF of undergraduates with insomnia symptoms. The effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation on cognitive flexibility in college students with insomnia (ChiCTR2400081263) URL: https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=202951

Source: International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2025.100567

Authors: Muyu Chen, Jun Jiang, Han Chen, Xinyu Liu, Xinpeng Zhang, Li Peng

Institutions: Army Medical University, Southwest Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,970