NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL REHABILITATION AND NON-INVASIVE STIMULATION IN AUTISM

A REVIEW OF NEUROMODULATION AND SOCIAL COGNITION

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Authors

  • Isaac Nicolas Lemos Fernandes Batista Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte
  • Lucas Emmanuel Freitas Mendes Federal University of Paraíba

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56579/prxis.v4i2.3806

Keywords:

Autism, Social Cognition, Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation, Neuromodulation, Neuropsychological Rehabilitation

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent impairments in communication, social interaction, and stereotyped behaviors, significantly affecting daily functioning and social inclusion. Cognitive deficits involving executive functions, attention, working memory, and social cognition hinder educational, professional, and interpersonal performance. This study presents an integrative literature review of interventions combining neuropsychological rehabilitation with non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), with a particular focus on social cognition. Studies published between 2014 and 2025 were selected from the PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, and PePSIC databases, including interventions that assessed theory of mind, emotional regulation, or facial emotion recognition. The analysis considered stimulation parameters, characteristics of cognitive interventions, assessment instruments, and reported outcomes. The findings indicate that tDCS applied to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in combination with cognitive training promotes improvements in social cognition and communication, whereas rTMS demonstrates positive but more variable effects. Common methodological limitations include heterogeneous procedures, small sample sizes, and the lack of longitudinal follow-up. It is concluded that hybrid interventions combining neuromodulation and neuropsychological rehabilitation represent a promising approach to optimizing social cognitive functions in individuals with ASD, reinforcing the need for standardized protocols and multicenter studies.

Author Biographies

Isaac Nicolas Lemos Fernandes Batista , Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

Undergraduate Psychology student at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). Engages in research projects in the fields of Neuropsychology and Neuroscience and is a scholarship recipient in a Neuropsychology extension project at the Applied Psychology Service (SEPA).

Lucas Emmanuel Freitas Mendes , Federal University of Paraíba

Physician graduated from the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB). Works in hospital emergency and on-call services, with a particular interest in Clinical Neuroscience and Neurological Rehabilitation. Supervisor.

References

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Published

2026-07-19

How to Cite

Batista , I. N. L. F., & Mendes , L. E. F. (2026). NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL REHABILITATION AND NON-INVASIVE STIMULATION IN AUTISM: A REVIEW OF NEUROMODULATION AND SOCIAL COGNITION. PRÁXIS EM SAÚDE , 4(2), 01–07. https://doi.org/10.56579/prxis.v4i2.3806

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2026): PRAXIS IN HEALTH JOURNAL

Section

ARTIGOS

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