Effect of Self-administered Transcranial Direct Stimulation in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Single-blinded Clinical Trial

Jihoon Oh, Kuk-In Jang, Sekye Jeon, Jeong-Ho Chae, Jihoon Oh, Kuk-In Jang, Sekye Jeon, Jeong-Ho Chae

Abstract

Objective: In numerous studies that have addressed transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) devices, participants visit the hospital regularly and undergo stimulation directed by health professionals. This method has the advantage of being able to deliver accurate stimuli in a controlled environment, but it does not adopt the merits of tDCS portability and applicability. Thus, it may be necessary to investigate how self-administered tDCS treatment at home affects depression- related symptoms.

Methods: In this randomized, single-blinded clinical trial, 58 patients with major depressive disorder were assigned to active and sham tDCS stimulation groups, and treatment responses were evaluated biweekly over six weeks. Both active and sham tDCS treatment group were treated with escitalopram. All participants were instructed the protocol and usage of at-home tDCS device, and self-administered tDCS treatment at their home.

Results: The beck-depression inventory score decreased significantly as treatment progressed, and the degree of symptom improvement was significantly higher in the active group than in the sham tDCS group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in other indices, including the Hamilton Depression Scale.

Conclusion: These results suggest that patient-administered tDCS treatment might be effective in improving subjective symptoms of depression.

Keywords: Depression; Home-settings; Therapuetics; Transcranial direct current stimulation.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Enrollment, allocation of groups and follow-up processes are presented with CONSORT flow-diagram. CONSORT, consolidated standards of reporting trials; IRB, institutional review board.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Study design and participant selection. tDCS, transcranial direct current stimulation.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Total score changes on psychiatric scales during the six-week treatment period: (A) beck-depression inventory (BDI), (B) Hamilton depression scale (HAM-D), (C) Montgomery−Åsberg depression rating scale (MADRS), and (D) mini-mental status examination (MMSE). Error bar denotes standard deviation (SD) in each point.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Decrement of total BDI score between posttreatment and baseline in the active and sham tDCS treatment groups. BDI, beck-depression inventory; tDCS, transcranial direct current stimulation.

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