Home Brain Stimulation Shows Promise In Easing Depression
A recent clinical trial suggests that at-home brain stimulation therapy may offer a safe and effective alternative for treating moderate to severe depression. Researchers found that individuals using this noninvasive brain stimulation method experienced significantly higher rates of treatment response and depression remission compared to those who did not undergo the therapy.
According to Dr. Jaire Soares, co-lead researcher and chair of psychiatry at the University of Texas McGovern Medical School, the study holds promise for introducing a new treatment option for people with mood disorders. In this trial, 174 participants diagnosed with depression were randomly assigned to receive or skip the brain stimulation therapy over a 10-week treatment period.
The participants who received the therapy underwent transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) sessions. This process uses a mild current, ranging from 0.5 to 2 milliampere, delivered through two electrodes placed on the scalp, creating only a light tingling sensation. Patients self-administered the therapy at home, with an initial schedule of five 30-minute sessions per week for three weeks, then three sessions per week for the remainder of the trial.
Results showed that approximately 45% of those receiving tDCS experienced remission from depression symptoms, a considerable improvement compared to the 22% remission rate in the control group. Dr. Cynthia Fu, senior researcher and professor of affective neuroscience and psychotherapy at King’s College London, noted that the therapy could be a viable first-line option, especially for those who find traditional antidepressant treatments challenging due to side effects.
The trial was funded by Flow Neuroscience, the developer of the tDCS device, highlighting the potential for self-administered, accessible treatment options for depression management.
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