Trait anxiety moderates the effects of tDCS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on creativity

Trait anxiety has been shown to moderate transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) effects on some cognitive functions. Based on the attentional control theory (ACT), trait anxiety might be closely related to dysfunctional executive control and prefrontal activity. Importantly, executive and prefrontal functions are necessary for creativity. Critically, it is unknown whether trait anxiety moderates tDCS effects on creativity. To address this, thirty low-trait-anxious (LTA) and thirty-one high-trait-anxious (HTA) participants performed creativity tasks assessing divergent thinking (alternate uses task, AUT) and convergent thinking (compound remote associates test, CRAT), while receiving three types of tDCS (L-R+: left cathodal/right anodal; L+R-: reverse protocol; sham) over the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). L+R- stimulation promoted superior performance on the AUT compared with the other two stimulations. Importantly, L+R- stimulation benefitted LTA but not HTA individuals. No significant main nor interactive effects were found on the CRAT. These results demonstrate that L+R- stimulation benefits divergent but not convergent thinking. Furthermore, divergent thinking is more sensitive to L+R- stimulation in the LTA group than in the HTA group. Based on the ACT, this is likely due to differential DLPFC activation between the groups. Future studies should consider trait anxiety when exploring tDCS effects on creativity.

Automated summary

The study demonstrated that L+R- stimulation benefits divergent thinking, especially in LTA individuals, with no significant effects on convergent thinking. Differences in bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activation between low-trait-anxious and high-trait-anxious groups may explain this sensitivity. Future research on tDCS effects on creativity should consider trait anxiety levels.