A recent clinical trial has demonstrated that individuals with major depressive disorder may alleviate their symptoms by administering a form of electrical brain stimulation from the comfort of their homes. The study found that participants receiving a 10-week course of this treatment were almost twice as likely to achieve remission compared to those in a control group with the device switched off.
The findings suggest that brain stimulation, delivered through a non-invasive technique known as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), could serve as an effective treatment without requiring patients to attend clinical appointments. This offers a promising alternative for individuals who do not respond to traditional therapies such as antidepressants or psychotherapy.
The trial, conducted by researchers and published in Nature Medicine, involved 174 participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Participants were provided with headsets from Flow Neuroscience, which funded the study. These devices contain two electrodes that apply a mild electrical current of up to 2 milliamps to the forehead. The treatment protocol consisted of five 30-minute sessions per week for the first three weeks, followed by three sessions per week for the remaining seven weeks.
Half of the participants received active brain stimulation during the trial, while the other half unknowingly underwent a placebo version. In the placebo group, the headset delivered a brief, weak current at the start and end of each session but remained inactive for the rest of the time. Both groups reported improvements in their depression symptoms over the course of the trial, but the active stimulation group showed significantly better results.
The remission rate among participants receiving active stimulation was recorded at 44.9%, compared to 21.8% in the control group. This suggests that tDCS may offer a viable first-line treatment option, especially for those resistant to conventional approaches.
“This treatment can benefit those who have not found relief with antidepressants or prefer not to undergo psychotherapy,” explained Professor Cynthia Fu from King’s College London, the senior author of the study. “It provides an alternative that can be administered safely at home.”
tDCS works by increasing the excitability of neurons in the frontal regions of the brain, which can positively influence the broader neural networks affected by depression. Unlike electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which induces seizures, tDCS delivers a much weaker current—about 400 times less powerful—minimizing the risk of adverse effects. To further ensure safety, the device automatically shuts off after each 30-minute session.
Experts not involved in the study, such as Myles Jones from the University of Sheffield, have acknowledged the potential benefits of prolonged tDCS use. “While single doses of tDCS may have limited impact, repeated use over weeks has been shown to improve symptoms of depression, tinnitus, and other conditions,” Jones stated.
Despite being included in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines since 2015, the use of tDCS has remained limited due to uncertainties regarding its effectiveness. This study, however, provides encouraging evidence that home-based brain stimulation can reduce key depression symptoms and offer hope to many.
References:
1. Naddaf, Miryam. “Brain Stimulation at Home Helps to Treat Depression.” Nature, October 21, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-03446-7.
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(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)
