Efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation associated with antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder: a systematic review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21527/2176-7114.2024.49.15509

Keywords:

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, tDCS, Major Depressive Disorder, Depression, Antidepressants

Abstract

Introduction: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a low-intensity neuromodulation technique that can produce a clinically significant response in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). It seems to be a useful additional strategy to antidepressant therapy to potentiate improvements in sleep, psychomotor symptoms, and quality of life in people with MDD. Objective: Evaluate the efficacy of combining tDCS with antidepressants in the treatment of MDD. Materials and Methods: This is a systematic review, which was searched in the Embase, SCOPUS, Medline/PubMed, and Science Direct databases. Randomized clinical trials investigating the efficacy of tDCS associated with antidepressants compared to antidepressants associated or not with placebo were included. The outcomes analyzed were sleep, psychomotor symptoms, and quality of life of people with MDD. The Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials 2.0 was used to assess the risk of bias. Results: Three randomized clinical trials were analyzed, totaling 211 participants, with a risk of bias ranging from low to uncertain. Electroencephalographic signs in REM sleep significantly improved in favor of tDCS associated with antidepressants, but there was no significant difference in psychomotor symptoms and quality of life. Conclusion: There is initial evidence with a low risk of bias that tDCS associated with antidepressant medication is effective in changing electroencephalographic signals during REM sleep, but is not effective in treating psychomotor symptoms and quality of life in people with MDD.

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Published

2024-10-08

How to Cite

da Silva, R. M., Rosa, F. W., de Souza, M. C., & Maciel, R. R. B. T. (2024). Efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation associated with antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder: a systematic review . Context and Health Journal, 24(49), e15509. https://doi.org/10.21527/2176-7114.2024.49.15509

Issue

Section

REVIEW ARTICLE