Imagine before you leap: Episodic future thinking combined with transcranial direct current stimulation training for impulsive choice in repetitive negative thinking

Immediate reward preference in repetitive negative thinking (RNT) has a high clinical correlation with a variety of maladaptive behaviors, whereas episodic future thinking (EFT) may be conducive to dealing with non-adaptive thinking and decision-making. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of EFT training combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) stimulation over the ventromedial PFC (vmPFC) in inhibiting impulsive choice of RNT individuals. Study 1 explored the effects of EFT on immediate reward preference of participants with high and low RNT (N = 48). Study 2 conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to examine the treatment effect of the EFT-neural training on impulsive choice of high RNT individuals (N = 103). In study 1, individuals with high RNT were more likely to choose smaller and sooner (SS) rewards, however, there were no significant differences between the high-RNT group and the low-RNT group under the positive EFT condition. In study 2, a significant decrease was shown in the proportion of choosing SS rewards under the 8-week EFT-neural training, and the effect was maintained at 1 month follow-up. RNT is a vulnerability factor for short-sighted behaviors, and EFT-neural training could be suitable for reducing RNT and improving immediate reward preference.