Memoria de trabajo y neuromodulación no invasiva: revisión narrativa crítica sobre tDCS y neurofeedback en rehabilitación cognitiva

Suelen Marcondes Tomé

doi:10.32351/rca.v11.428

Authors

Suelen Marcondes Tomé Universidad de Flores https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1669-9089

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32351/rca.v11.428

Política de Crossmark DOI: https://doi.org/10.32351/politica-crossmark

Keywords:

working memory, tDCS, neurofeedback, neuromodulation, executive functions, cognitive rehabilitation

Abstract

Working memory is an essential cognitive system involved in processes such as attention, learning, reasoning, and executive functions. Alterations in this system have been identified in neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, and age-related cognitive decline. In this context, non-invasive neuromodulation techniques, especially transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and neurofeedback, have gained increasing scientific interest due to their potential to modulate brain activity and enhance cognitive performance. The present study aimed to conduct a critical narrative review of the effects of tDCS and neurofeedback on working memory, considering neurophysiological mechanisms, clinical applications, and methodological limitations. The literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases, including studies published between 2020 and 2024. Findings suggest that tDCS applied over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex may contribute to improvements in working memory tasks and executive functions. Likewise, neurofeedback has demonstrated promising results in brain self-regulation and attentional modulation. However, important limitations remain, including methodological heterogeneity, small sample sizes, and the scarcity of longitudinal studies. It is concluded that both techniques represent promising tools within applied neuroscience, although greater methodological standardization and long-term clinical validation are still required.

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Author Biography

Suelen Marcondes Tomé, Universidad de Flores

Is a neuropsychologist, specialist in Neuropsychology at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (Brazil), judicial expert, and specialist in Traffic Psychology. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Neuropsychology at Universidad de Flores (UFLO), Argentina, and a Doctorate in Psychology at UNINQ (United States). She serves as a professor and supervisor of Brain Neuromodulation at Neurowork and as a postgraduate professor at Faculdade Dom Bosco (RS, Brazil). Her work focuses on applied neurosciences, with emphasis on neuropsychological assessment, non-invasive brain neuromodulation, neurofeedback, and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). She also serves as a counselor at the State Traffic Council of São Paulo (CETRAN-SP) and conducts research related to cognitive rehabilitation, executive functions, and neuroplasticity.

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