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A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Hypnotherapy on Rumination, Self-compassion, and Quality of Life in Divorced Women

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

2 Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

Abstract

Background: The emotional challenges faced by divorced women can significantly affect their mental well-being. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and hypnotherapy on rumination, selfcompassion, and quality of life in divorced women.
Method: This quasi-experimental study used a pre-test, post-test, and control group design. The statistical population consisted of divorced women visiting counseling centers in Ardabil, Iran in 2024. A total of 45 divorced women were selected through convenience sampling. The study participants were randomly assigned to three groups, each consisting of 15 individuals: tDCS, hypnotherapy, and control groups. Each intervention group underwent eight weekly individual sessions. Data collection included the Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and Tukey’s post hoc test at a significance level of 0.05 using SPSS version 27.
Results: After controlling the pre-test effects and ensuring that demographic characteristics were homogeneous and non-significant, the post-test scores for rumination, self-compassion, and quality of life in the tDCS group were 53.67±7.65, 65.27±11.07, and 52.80±9.53, respectively. In the hypnotherapy group, these scores were 44.93±3.92, 75.47±9.16, and 58.73±9.51, respectively. The control group had post-test scores of 61.73±5.87, 54.40±10.40, and 39.40±10.89. Tukey’s post hoc test confirmed that both tDCS and hypnotherapy significantly affected the dependent variables (P<0.001), with hypnotherapy having a greater impact than tDCS.
Conclusions: The findings showed that although both tDCS and hypnotherapy interventions had significant effects on all three dependent variables, the hypnotherapy intervention demonstrated a more substantial and meaningful positive effect compared with transcranial direct current stimulation.

Highlights

Ali Nasiri: (Google Scholar)

Mohammadreza Noroozi Homayoon: (Google Scholar)

 

How to Cite: Nasiri A, Narimani M, Sadri Damirchi E, Noroozi Homayoon M. A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Hypnotherapy on Rumination, Self-compassion, and Quality of Life in Divorced Women. Women. Health. Bull. 2025;12(3):206-217. doi: 10.30476/whb.2025.105249.1333.

Keywords

References
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Women’s Health Bulletin
Volume 12, Issue 3 - Serial Number 46
July 2025
Pages 206-217
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