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Volume 25, Issue 164 (10-2026)                   Journal of Psychological Science 2026, 25(164): 1-23 | Back to browse issues page

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Damirchi Y, Sodagar S, Seirafi M R, Salahian A, Safarpour Lima B. (2026). The Effects of Combined Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Negative Affect in Women with Migraine Headaches. , Journal of Psychological Science. 25(164), : 9 doi: 10.66224/jps.25.164.8
URL: http://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-3072-en.html
The Effects of Combined Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Negative Affect in Women with Migraine Headaches
Yasaman Damirchi , Sheida Sodagar * , Mohammad Reza Seirafi , Afshin Salahian , Behnam Safarpour Lima
Department of Health & Clinical Psychology, Ka.C., Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran. , sh.sodagar@iau.ac.ir
Abstract:   (413 Views)
Background: Negative emotions play a significant role in the onset and exacerbation of migraine headaches. Migraine headaches can lead to adverse outcomes, such as work absence, reduced productivity, and economic costs. Psychological and neuropsychological interventions, as well as their combination, can significantly reduce negative emotions and migraine attacks, thereby alleviating economic burdens and enhancing productivity among migraineurs.
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of combined acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on negative affect in women with migraine headaches.
Methods: This was a pre-test-post-test study with a control group and a three-month follow-up. The statistical population consisted of all women with migraine who had referred to three neurology clinics in Tehran-Iran. 120 people were selected by convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to four groups. The experimental groups recieved 8 online and group ACT sessions (Vowles et al., 2009), 10 consecutive tDCS sessions, and both interventions simultaniousely. The control group received no treatment. Data were collected through the Positive and Negative Affect Scale designed (Watson and Clark, 1988). SPSS-26 software and RM-ANOVA were used to analyze the data.
Results: The difference in the effect of tDCS and ACT on PA and NA was not significant. In contrast, ACT+tDCS increased positive emotion more than tDCS (p=0.001) and ACT (p=0.034). The combination of the two methods also decreased NA more than tDCS (p=0.001).
Conclusion: Based on the findings, all three interventions are effective in reducing negative affect and increasing positive affect. It is suggested that brain stimulation and ACT protocols be integrated into outpatient treatment programs for affected individuals in order to improve common symptoms of chronic diseases.
Article number: 9
Keywords: acceptance and commitment therapy, transcranial direct current stinulation, negative affects, women, migraine headaches
Full-Text [PDF 1962 kb]   (55 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2025/08/12 | Accepted: 2026/08/10 | Published: 2026/10/23
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