[Effects of non-invasive neuromodulation on the cognitive profile of people with anorexia nervosa: A scoping review]

Abstract

Background: The use of non-invasive neuromodulation is emerging in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Despite promising results, further research is needed to improve our understanding of these techniques and to adapt interventions to this population. As anorexia nervosa is associated with several cognitive difficulties and cerebral anomalies, the aim of the present study was to summarize the available data on the effects of non-invasive neuromodulation on the neuropsychological profile of people with anorexia nervosa.

Method: A scoping review was conducted by searching in PsycINFO, PubMed and CINAHL databases to systematically identify relevant studies published between 1994 and 2023 on the treatment of anorexia nervosa with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation or neurofeedback electroencephalogram.

Results: Seventeen articles were included, including 12 on repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, four on transcranial direct current stimulation and one on neurofeedback electroencephalogram. Of these, only three studies included a neuropsychological measure to assess the impact of neuromodulation on participants' cognitive functions.

Conclusions: Including detailed neuropsychological measures in clinical trials of non-invasive neuromodulation is highly recommended and appears essential to improve our understanding of these techniques and optimize their efficacy in the treatment of anorexia nervosa.

Keywords: Anorexia nervosa; Anorexie mentale; Cognitive functions; Fonctions cognitives; Neurofeedback; Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS); Stimulation magnétique transcrânienne répétitive (rTMS); Stimulation transcrânienne par courant direct (tDCS); Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).