Home-Based Transcranial Stimulation Succeeds for Major Depression
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Home-based transcranial direct current stimulation with real-time supervision significantly improved clinical symptoms of major depressive disorder, based on data from 26 individuals. Major depressive disorder (MDD) remains a leading cause of disability and a significant predictor of suicide worldwide, Rachel D. Woodham, PhD, of the University of East London and colleagues wrote. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has demonstrated effectiveness as a noninvasive therapy for MDD, but requires frequent sessions, and repeat visits to treatment centers are a barrier for many patients, they noted. The tDCS procedure involves delivery of a weak direct electric current via placement of electrodes, usually with the anode over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the cathode over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, suborbital, or frontotemporal region.
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@bubbly In an open-label feasibility study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, they recruited 26 adults with MDD in current depressive episodes of moderate to severe severity. In addition to maintaining their current treatment regimens of medication, psychotherapy, or cognitive behavioral therapy, participants used tDCS at home in 30-minute sessions, for a total of 21 sessions over 6 weeks. A researcher was present in person or on a real-time video call for each at-home session.