Journal of Clinical Physiotherapy Research

Abstract

Background and Aim: Working memory, a key component of executive function, is responsible for temporarily storing and manipulating information during cognitive tasks such as perception, learning, and reasoning. Research indicates that children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HF-ASD) often exhibit deficits in working memory. Evidence suggests that transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) applied to the prefrontal cortex can enhance working memory in healthy individuals. Given that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with working memory impairments, tDCS may offer significant benefits for individuals with ASD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of tDCS combined with routine occupational therapy in improving working memory in children with HF-ASD.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 20 children with HF-ASD (12 males, 8 females; mean age = 9.5 years) were selected from comprehensive rehabilitation centers and special schools for autism. Participants were evaluated by a child and adolescent psychiatrist and received a definitive diagnosis using the Garez questionnaire and a pervasive developmental disorders screening questionnaire. After meeting the inclusion criteria, participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. Both groups were assessed using the N-Back test to measure working memory before and after the intervention. The experimental group received tDCS (1.5 mA for 20 minutes over 10 sessions) targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) alongside routine occupational therapy, while the control group received sham tDCS with occupational therapy.

Results: The results demonstrated that tDCS significantly increased the number of correct answers (P = 0.001) and reduced the number of incorrect answers (P = 0.007) in the experimental group compared to the control group.

Conclusion:The findings suggest that tDCS combined with routine occupational therapy has a significant positive effect on working memory in children with HF-ASD, leading to further improvement. This non-invasive and safe intervention may serve as a valuable adjunct to traditional therapies for enhancing cognitive functioning in children with ASD.

Keywords: Autism, Ttranscranial Direct Current Stimulation  , Occupational Therapy, Working Memor