Drenth, Paula (2025) Alpha-tACS and Attention During Reading: the Role of Individual Differences in Sustained Attention. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Reading is a complex cognitive process that is dependent on both visual and attentional control. In this process, eye movements can offer direct insight into cognitive effort and comprehension. Alpha-oscillations (8-12 Hz) are recognised as a key mechanism in attentional control. This bachelor thesis investigates whether alpha transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) might be able to influence attention during reading - as measured by eye movement parameters such as gaze duration and regression frequency – and whether individual differences in sustained attention – measured via the Mind-Wandering Questionnaire (MWQ) – moderate this effect. In a within-subjects design, 18 participants completed a reading task under three stimulation conditions: left-, right- and sham stimulation. Eye tracking was used to measure gaze duration, regression frequency, and total reading time. Additionally, the MWQ was utilized to assess mind-wandering tendencies. Even though alpha-tACS did not suggest any main effects on gaze duration, regression frequency and total reading time, a significant interaction effect was observed for stimulation condition x mind-wandering tendencies. Participants with high mind-wandering tendencies showed reduced reading times under stimulation, while participants with low mind-wandering tendencies read more slowly. This suggests that alpha-tACS may be dependent on individual differences like mind-wandering tendencies. These findings highlight the importance of induvial differences in neurostimulation effects and suggest that alpha-TACS may be a potential meaningful intervention for clinical populations with attention- and reading deficits, such as ADHD and dyslexia. Keywords: alpha-tACS, sustained attention, mind-wandering tendencies, eye-tracking, neurostimulation, alpha oscillations
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
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| Supervisor name: | Dimigen, O.C. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 15 Oct 2025 10:45 |
| Last Modified: | 15 Oct 2025 10:45 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5962 |
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