Enhancing statistical calculation with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the left intra-parietal sulcus (IPS)

Researchers have focused only minimally on cognitive enhancement using low current brain stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), in attempting to improve math performance. In this study we administered the low current brain stimulation followed by instruction.Thirty-two participants completed the study, the participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control, 1 mA, or 2 mA. The experimental group participants received low current brain stimulation, tDCS for 20 min. After administration of the tDCS each group viewed an instructional video showing calculations for a non-parametric statistics, Kruskal–Wallis. Upon completion of viewing the video participants completed calculation of a problem requiring using a Kruskal–Wallis. We found that both experimental groups performed significantly better than the control group on calculating the statistic, Kruskal–Wallis. We used time spent completing the calculation as a covariate. The use of low current brain stimulation combined with instruction show promise in enhancing math/statistics performance.