Theta Dual-Brain Stimulation of rTPJ Shapes Joint Agency

Abstract

Joint agency, the shared feeling of "we are doing this together", has been linked to inter-brain synchrony, but its causal role in shaping this experience remains unclear. We applied dual transcranial alternating current stimulation (dual-tACS) over the right temporo-parietal junction (rTPJ) to 13 dyads performing an alternating tapping task (target ITI = 0.5 s; 180 deg. relative phase), manipulating in- and anti-phase coupling at theta (6 Hz), alpha (10 Hz), and beta (20 Hz). As a result, tapping in the theta anti-phase condition was significantly slower than the memorized reference tempo, whereas the other stimulation conditions did not influence the inter-tap interval. Meanwhile, the relative phase remained close to 180 deg. across all conditions. In the theta condition, anti-phase stimulation produced significantly lower joint agency than in-phase stimulation. Furthermore, mediation analysis suggested that the inter-tap interval may partially account for the effect of theta dual-brain stimulation on joint agency, although this indirect pathway did not reach statistical significance. These findings suggest that anti-phase theta stimulation over the rTPJ lowers joint agency, possibly by reducing coordination efficiency while preserving the overall 180 deg. alternation structure.