Previous studies have shown that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) could potentially promote prosocial behaviors. However, results from randomized controlled trials are inconsistent. The current meta-analysis aimed to assess the effects of anodal and cathodal tDCS using single-session protocols on prosocial behaviors in healthy young adults and explore potential moderators of these effects. The results showed that compared with sham stimulation, anodal (excitatory) stimulation significantly increased (g = 0.27, 95% CI [0.11, 0.43], Z = 3.30, P = 0.001) and cathodal (inhibitory) stimulation significantly decreased prosocial behaviors (g = −0.19, 95% CI [−0.39, −0.01], Z = −1.95, P = 0.051) using a multilevel meta-analytic model. These effects were not significantly modulated by stimulation parameters (e.g. duration, intensity and site) and types of prosocial behavior. The risk of publication bias for the included effects was minimal, and no selective reporting (e.g. P-hacking) was found in the P-curve analysis. This meta-analysis showed that both anodal and cathodal tDCS have small but significant effects on prosocial behaviors. The current study provides evidence that prosocial behaviors are linked to the activity of the ‘social brain’. Future studies are encouraged to further explore whether tDCS could effectively treat social dysfunctions in psychiatry disorders.

中文翻译：

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tDCS 对亲社会行为的影响：荟萃分析综述

先前的研究表明，经颅直流电刺激 (tDCS) 可能会促进亲社会行为。然而，随机对照试验的结果并不一致。目前的荟萃分析旨在评估阳极和阴极 tDCS 使用单次协议对健康年轻人亲社会行为的影响，并探索这些影响的潜在调节因素。结果表明，与假刺激相比，阳极（兴奋性）刺激显着增加（g = 0.27, 95% CI [0.11, 0.43], Z = 3.30, P = 0.001），阴极（抑制性）刺激显着降低亲社会行为（g = -0.19, 95% CI [-0.39, -0.01], Z = -1.95, P = 0.051) 使用多级元分析模型。刺激参数（例如持续时间、强度和地点）和亲社会行为的类型。纳入效应的发表偏倚风险很小，并且在 P 曲线分析中未发现选择性报告（例如 P-hacking）。这项荟萃分析表明，阳极和阴极 tDCS 对亲社会行为的影响虽小但显着。目前的研究提供了证据，证明亲社会行为与“社会大脑”的活动有关。鼓励未来的研究进一步探索 tDCS 是否可以有效治疗精神疾病中的社会功能障碍。目前的研究提供了证据，证明亲社会行为与“社会大脑”的活动有关。鼓励未来的研究进一步探索 tDCS 是否可以有效治疗精神疾病中的社会功能障碍。目前的研究提供了证据，证明亲社会行为与“社会大脑”的活动有关。鼓励未来的研究进一步探索 tDCS 是否可以有效治疗精神疾病中的社会功能障碍。