Abstract
Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation modality that has been increasingly used for major depressive disorder (MDD) treatment. Although studies in healthy volunteers showed that the technique is well-tolerated, tDCS safety and acceptability have not been sufficiently explored in patients with MDD. Methods: We collected individual patient data from 6 randomized clinical trials that had been previously identified in a systematic review and meta-analysis. Primary outcomes were safety (rate of adverse events) and acceptability (rate of dropouts). Secondary outcomes were clinical, demographic and treatment predictors of the primary outcomes. Results: Dropout rates between active (8.8%) and sham (12%) groups were not significantly different (OR= 0.7, p=0.38). Adverse event rates between active (73.5%) and sham (68.3%) groups were not significantly different (OR= 1.4, p=0.23). Higher current densities were associated with lower adverse event rates. Limitations: Dropout reasons were not systematically reported and adverse events were not collected using questionnaires standardized across studies. Conclusions: Active tDCS is as acceptable and safe as sham tDCS, as found in randomized clinical trials of MDD.
Item Type: | Journal article |
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Faculties: | Medicine |
Subjects: | 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health |
ISSN: | 0165-0327 |
Language: | English |
Item ID: | 52343 |
Date Deposited: | 14. Jun 2018, 09:49 |
Last Modified: | 04. Nov 2020, 13:31 |