Investigating the Effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Enhancing the Attention Network in Adults with Amblyopia

Introduction: Amblyopia is a visual impairment, often unilateral, caused by a developmental disorder that can be associated with cognitive deficits, including attention disorders.This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in improving the attention network in adults with amblyopia.Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a shamcontrolled group.The study population included adults aged 20 to 35 with amblyopia who were referred to optometry clinics in Meshginshahr in 1402.Using purposive sampling, 30 individuals were selected and randomly assigned to either the tDCS group (n = 15) or the sham group (n = 15).The experimental group received 10 sessions of 20-minute tDCS applied to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (three sessions per week), while the sham group received placebo stimulation.To assess attentional function, the Attention Network Test was administered before and immediately after the intervention.Results: The findings demonstrated that tDCS significantly improved the attention network in adults with amblyopia, indicating its effectiveness in enhancing attentional processing.Conclusion: Our results suggest that tDCS, by directly modulating the attention network, may serve as an adjunct therapy to enhance the effectiveness of amblyopia treatment in adults.