Network-Matched tDCS During Mindfulness Training: A Falsifiable Framework Across Focused Attention, Open Monitoring, and Compassion
- 1Johns Hopkins Medicine
- 2Sunkara Wellness Technologies
Abstract
We predict that the preferred transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) montage reverses between focused attention (FA) and open monitoring (OM): montage A outperforms B during FA, and B outperforms A during OM, on the same prespecified outcome. This is a stronger claim than generic augmentation or a positive practice-by-montage interaction. A narrative synthesis motivates executive-control and salience-related mechanisms, while a completed computational screen tests whether candidate montages produce the required regional field contrasts. Among 24 pairs evaluated in 20 head models, 18 passed the recorded progression criteria, but only five also met a post hoc requirement for both directional preferences in at least 80% of heads. We prioritize an F3-centered high-definition ring (FA-05; A) with F8-Fp2 sponges (OM-02; B) for development because both regional preferences held in every head and suprathreshold overlap was minimal. The conventional alternative, FA-02 × OM-07, provides stronger modeled dose coverage. Both anatomical targets met the operational 0.20 V/m floor in 11/20 heads for the prioritized pair versus 20/20 for the alternative. These simulations establish a regional separability-dose trade-off, not whole-network selectivity. The trial design requires both meaningful directional advantages, with sham and no-practice controls separating matching, augmentation, and superadditivity. Physiological target engagement, practice dependence, and persistence have separate tests. Individual dose, delivery, masking, and physiology must be validated before confirmation. Loving-kindness/compassion and lateral-orbitofrontal stimulation remain an exploratory extension. The contribution is a testable matching claim, a computational candidate comparison, and explicit criteria for accepting or rejecting each claim.
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BibTeX
@misc{joseph2026networkmatched,
title = {{Network-Matched tDCS During Mindfulness Training: A Falsifiable Framework Across Focused Attention, Open Monitoring, and Compassion}},
author = {Ivanna Joseph and Adam Schiavi and Dylan Bruschi},
howpublished = {Zenodo},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.5281/zenodo.23425481},
url = {https://zenodo.org/records/23425481},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Network-Matched tDCS During Mindfulness Training: A Falsifiable Framework Across Focused Attention, Open Monitoring, and Compassion
AU - Ivanna Joseph
AU - Adam Schiavi
AU - Dylan Bruschi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/16
PB - Zenodo
DO - 10.5281/zenodo.23425481
UR - https://zenodo.org/records/23425481
AB - We predict that the preferred transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) montage reverses between focused attention (FA) and open monitoring (OM): montage A outperforms B during FA, and B outperforms A during OM, on the same prespecified outcome. This is a stronger claim than generic augmentation or a positive practice-by-montage interaction. A narrative synthesis motivates executive-control and salience-related mechanisms, while a completed computational screen tests whether candidate montages produce the required regional field contrasts. Among 24 pairs evaluated in 20 head models, 18 passed the recorded progression criteria, but only five also met a post hoc requirement for both directional preferences in at least 80% of heads. We prioritize an F3-centered high-definition ring (FA-05; A) with F8-Fp2 sponges (OM-02; B) for development because both regional preferences held in every head and suprathreshold overlap was minimal. The conventional alternative, FA-02 × OM-07, provides stronger modeled dose coverage. Both anatomical targets met the operational 0.20 V/m floor in 11/20 heads for the prioritized pair versus 20/20 for the alternative. These simulations establish a regional separability-dose trade-off, not whole-network selectivity. The trial design requires both meaningful directional advantages, with sham and no-practice controls separating matching, augmentation, and superadditivity. Physiological target engagement, practice dependence, and persistence have separate tests. Individual dose, delivery, masking, and physiology must be validated before confirmation. Loving-kindness/compassion and lateral-orbitofrontal stimulation remain an exploratory extension. The contribution is a testable matching claim, a computational candidate comparison, and explicit criteria for accepting or rejecting each claim.
ER -