Comparing the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation and cognitive rehabilitation on the executive functions of children with autism spectrum disorders

Introduction: Today, the disorder in the executive functions of children with autism is a controversial issue. Therefore, this research was conducted with the aim of the effectiveness of tDCS and cognitive rehabilitation on the executive functions of children with autism. Method: It was a Semi-experimental research with a pre-test-post-test design. The statistical population of the research included all children aged 10 to 12 with autism disorder who referred to treatment centers and clinics in Shahin Dej and Bukan cities in 1400-1401. A number of 30 children with autism were purposefully selected and randomly replaced in two groups (15 in the tDCS and 15 in the cognitive rehabilitation). The Subjects in the tDCS group underwent anodic tDCS on the head for 10 minutes, and subjects in the cognitive rehabilitation group underwent computerized cognitive rehabilitation training for 12 sessions of 40 minutes. Research tools included Gilliam's Autism Diagnostic Scale, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Stroop Test, Numerical Memory Subtest of Wechsler Test, Andre-Ray Test and Continuous Performance Test. Multivariate covariance analysis was used to analyze the research data, which was done with SPSS version 26 software. Results: The results showed that the transcranial direct current stimulation method is more effective on executive functions (cognitive flexibility, response inhibition, working memory and sustained attention) compared to the cognitive rehabilitation method (P ≥ 0.01). Conclusions: The use of two methods of transcranial direct current stimulation and cognitive rehabilitation are both useful supplements for improving and strengthening executive functions in children with autism.