Evidence mapPaperPMID 40955796Full record

ReviewCNS neuroscience & therapeutics2025

How to Improve Cognitive Flexibility: Evidence From Noninvasive Neuromodulation Techniques.

Naeimeh Akbari Gharalari, Solmaz Fallahi, Elnaz Nakhjiri, Leila Hosseini, Saba Pakkhou, Naser Havaei, Sina Khodakarimi, Parviz Shahabi, Mohsen Jafarzadeh Gharehziaaddin, Hamid Soltani Zangbar

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in CNS neuroscience & therapeutics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Naeimeh Akbari GharalariNeurophysiology Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
Solmaz FallahiDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.ORCID 0000-0002-6100-7236
Elnaz NakhjiriDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Leila HosseiniResearch Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Saba PakkhouDepartment of Medical Informatics, School of Management and Medical Informatics, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Naser HavaeiDepartment of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Sina KhodakarimiDepartment of Neurosciences and Cognition, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Parviz ShahabiDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Mohsen Jafarzadeh GharehziaaddinDepartment of Languages and Cultures, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitario de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal.
Hamid Soltani ZangbarDepartment of Neurosciences and Cognition, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.ORCID 0009-0003-7650-9436

Funding

Iran National Science Foundation (INSF 4000634Tabriz University of Medical Sciences IR.TBZMED.AEC.1404.022
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCognitive flexibility (CF) is a core component of executive function that enables humans to adaptively process and respond effectively to diverse and dynamic contextual needs. The execution of CF-related tasks depends on the collective interaction of various neural circuits in essential brain regions, such as the prefrontal, anterior cingulate, and posterior parietal cortices, which support the harmonic and smooth transition of thoughts and perspectives. Therefore, clarifying the mechanism of CF and introducing non-invasive neuromodulatory methods that enhance CF provides a way for developing new treatment approaches.

methodsThis review systematically investigates the application of photobiomodulation (PBM), neurofeedback (NF), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and virtual reality (VR) as non-invasive neuromodulatory techniques for modulating cognitive behaviors related to CF in neuropsychological conditions.

resultsConsidering the vital role of CF in executive functions, deficits in CF impair adaptive behavior in neuropsychological conditions such as schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and age-related cognitive decline. Some technology-based interventions, including PBM, NF, rTMS, tDCS, and VR, have been developed to non-invasively modulate the switching capability and strategies of the mind. These non-invasive interventions provide targeted neuromodulation on neural circuits and have demonstrated a promising effect in improving cognitive processes, including CF.

conclusionThe present study provides a comprehensive review of the therapeutic consequences of non-invasive neuromodulatory methods on CF in neurological conditions. This insight can offer a perspective for planning various research strategies and clinical approaches aimed at improving CF.

Indexed as

CognitionExecutive FunctionNeurofeedbackTranscranial Direct Current StimulationTranscranial Magnetic StimulationBrainCognitive FlexibilityHumansLow-Level Light TherapyVirtual Realitycognitive flexibilityneurofeedbacknoninvasive neuromodulationphotobiomodulationrTMStDCSvirtual reality

Identifiers

PMID40955796
PMCPMC12439197

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.