Transcranial direct current stimulation associated with physical exercise can help smokers to quit smoking: a randomized controlled trial

Chronic exposure to nicotine is related to low activity in the prefrontal cortex and insular hyperactivity in smokers. Therefore, addiction has been the target of experimental studies in aerobic exercise (AE) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Thus, the objective of this study was to verify the effect of AE and anodal tDCS at F4 and cathodal at T3 on craving, motivation to change smoking behaviour (MCSB) and brain reactivity (BR) in smokers. The sample consisted of 41 chronic smokers distributed into four groups: tDCS (G1), AE (G2), tDCS combined with AE (G3) and sham tDCS combined with AE (G4). All volunteers underwent 5 consecutive sessions of the intended intervention. Before starting the intervention protocol and after the last intervention session, the volunteers answered questionnaires and underwent an electroencephalogram exam, to evaluate the variables investigated. The results demonstrated that AE, when associated with active tDCS, was effective in promoting a reduction in craving (p < 0,05), cigarette consumption (p < 0,05), and BR (p < 0,05) during exposure to smoking cues, in addition to increasing MCSB (p < 0,05). Therefore, only when associated with AE, tDCS was able to modulate positive effects on smoking.