Honors Theses

Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Degree Name

BA

Department

Psychology

Faculty Mentor

Benjamin D. Hill, Ph.D.

Advisor(s)

Jack Shelly-Tremblay, Ph.D., Dakota Lindsey, Ph.D.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to observe the outcomes of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a treatment for Parkinson’s Disease (PD). This study will primarily look at changes in depression and anxiety, as these symptoms are often comorbid with Parkinson’s Disease. Transcranial direct current stimulation is a non-invasive, very low-intensity form of electrical stimulation of the brain. It is being increasingly used as a form of treatment for Parkinson’s Disease and depression and anxiety, however the literature is ambiguous, showing mixed results throughout various studies, with no standardization of tDCS administration. To determine the effect of tDCS on these symptoms of depression and anxiety, we will be administering a tDCS treatment of fifteen sessions conducted over five weeks (i.e., three sessions a week for five weeks). Treatment significance will be assessed by measuring symptoms of depression and anxiety from the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-II), Dimensional Apathy Scale (DAS), and the Abbreviated Profile of Mood States (POMS). The results of the pre-test to post-test comparisons showed us that while there was slight improvements, we were not able to establish these improvements as due to the tDCS intervention. We observed no differences between sham and experimental groups highlighting the need for more research on this treatment method for people with Parkinson’s to better establish and optimize this treatment method for this population.

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