| Authors | Mohammad Hossein Sorbi,Amirreza Soleymani Mazar,Hassan Gharayagh Zandi,Mahboubeh Ghayour Najafabadi,Hossein Yari Geshnigani |
|---|---|
| Journal | The Journal of Social Behavior and Community Health (JSBCH) |
| Page number | 1483-1492 |
| Serial number | 9 |
| Volume number | 1 |
| Paper Type | Full Paper |
| Published At | 2025 |
| Journal Type | Typographic |
| Journal Country | Iran, Islamic Republic Of |
| Journal Index | isc |
Abstract
Background: Low self-esteem and overweight are significant factors that can affect mental health and quality of life. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), as a non-pharmacological method, has the potential to affect physical and psychological health. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of tDCS on self-esteem and weight reduction in overweight individuals. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pretest-posttest design with a control group. A total of 24 men aged 20 to 40 years from gyms in Mashhad were selected through purposive sampling in 2024 and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The study utilized the following tools for data collection: demographic form, Eysenck Self-Esteem Questionnaire, and body mass index (BMI) measurement. Both groups participated in standard physical fitness training; however, the experimental group additionally received anodal tDCS (2 mA, 20 minutes per session, for 10 consecutive sessions). The control group received a sham stimulation protocol. Data were analyzed using one-way ANCOVA in SPSS-21. Results: The findings indicated a significant difference in self-esteem between the two groups after controlling for the pretest effect (P = 0.004, F = 10.39). The effect size of tDCS on self-esteem was 33%, suggesting a moderate impact. However, the effect of tDCS on BMI was minimal and did not lead to significant weight reduction. Conclusion: The results suggest that tDCS, in combination with physical exercise, can have a positive impact on self-esteem in overweight individuals, but does not significantly contribute to weight loss. Further research is recommended to explore long-term effects of this intervention.