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Effectiveness of tDCS at Improving Recognition and Reducing False Memories in Older Adults

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  • Juan C. Meléndez

    (Department of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, ES 46002 Valencia, Spain)

  • Encarnación Satorres

    (Department of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, ES 46002 Valencia, Spain)

  • Alfonso Pitarque

    (Department of Methodology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, Av. Blasco Ibañez 21, ES 46010 Valencia, Spain)

  • Iraida Delhom

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Valencian International University, Pintor Sorolla 21, ES 46002 Valencia, Spain)

  • Elena Real

    (Department of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, ES 46002 Valencia, Spain)

  • Joaquin Escudero

    (Hospital General of Valencia, Av. Tres Cruces 2, ES 46014 Valencia, Spain)

Abstract

Background: False memories tend to increase in healthy and pathological aging, and their reduction could be useful in improving cognitive functioning. The objective of this study was to use an active–placebo method to verify whether the application of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improved true recognition and reduced false memories in healthy older people. Method: Participants were 29 healthy older adults (65–78 years old) that were assigned to either an active or a placebo group; the active group received anodal stimulation at 2 mA for 20 min over F7. An experimental task was used to estimate true and false recognition. The procedure took place in two sessions on two consecutive days. Results: True recognition showed a significant main effect of sessions ( p < 0.01), indicating an increase from before treatment to after it. False recognition showed a significant main effect of sessions ( p < 0.01), indicating a decrease from before treatment to after it and a significant session × group interaction ( p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Overall, our results show that tDCS was an effective tool for increasing true recognition and reducing false recognition in healthy older people, and suggest that stimulation improved recall by increasing the number of items a participant could recall and reducing the number of memory errors.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan C. Meléndez & Encarnación Satorres & Alfonso Pitarque & Iraida Delhom & Elena Real & Joaquin Escudero, 2021. "Effectiveness of tDCS at Improving Recognition and Reducing False Memories in Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-9, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:3:p:1317-:d:491297
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Haewon Byeon, 2020. "Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Naming of Elderly with Primary Progressive Aphasia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-9, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Encarnación Satorres & Juan C. Meléndez & Alfonso Pitarque & Elena Real & Mireia Abella & Joaquin Escudero, 2022. "Enhancing Immediate Memory, Potential Learning, and Working Memory with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Healthy Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-10, October.

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