Effects of repeated cranial electrotherapy stimulation on high-stress decision making

Poster Session A - Saturday, March 29, 2025, 3:00 – 5:00 pm EDT, Back Bay Ballroom/Republic Ballroom

Marissa Lee¹ (marissa.lee@tufts.edu), Kana Okano¹, Hannah Hart-Pomerantz¹, Travis Harvey², Tad Brunyé^3,1; ¹Tufts University, ²United States Special Operations Command, ³United States Army DEVCOM Soldier Center

Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) is a low-intensity electrical neuromodulation technique that administers pulsed alternating microcurrent to electrodes typically placed on bilateral earlobes. CES may exert nonspecific effects on afferent projections of cranial nerves, increasing parasympathetic nervous system activity and ameliorating acute stress responses. If so, this may help support cognitive functions vulnerable to stress exposure such as memory, spatial orienting, and decision-making. A double-blind, randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of repeated CES stimulation in 40 neurotypical participants who received either active (n = 19) or sham (n = 21) CES across 20 daily sessions. During baseline and follow-up sessions, we measured performance on memory (MEM), spatial orienting (SO), and decision making (DM) while under threat of torso shock. We expected the active CES group would show reduced physiological and biochemical stress responses and improved task performance at follow-up compared to the sham CES group. General linear models analyzed the effect of CES group (active, sham) and time (baseline, follow-up) on physiological, biochemical, and cognitive outcomes. Threat of shock successfully modulated physiological responses and salivary alpha amylase and cortisol levels at baseline and follow-up but did not vary significantly by CES group (p’s>0.05). Results also showed no effect of CES group on MEM, SO, or DM performance (p’s>0.05). While CES did not significantly impact stress biomarkers or cognitive performance in the overall sample, we will discuss exploratory findings that individuals with high baseline trait anxiety may derive targeted benefits from active CES, suggesting potential for personalized interventions.

Topic Area: EXECUTIVE PROCESSES: Goal maintenance & switching