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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Systematic Review
Jérôme Brunelin1,2,3,4, Marine Mondino5,6,7,8, Rémy Bation9,10,11,12,13
1INSERM, U1028, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, PSY-R2 team, F-69000 Lyon, France. jerome.brunelin@ch-le-vinatier.fr.
Brain Sciences
|March 3, 2018
Summary
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) shows promise for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) when standard treatments fail. This non-invasive brain stimulation may reduce OCD symptoms and related anxiety and depression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Neuromodulation
Background:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects over 40% of patients unresponsive to standard treatments.
- Conventional treatments include psychopharmacology and psychotherapy.
- Novel therapeutic strategies are needed for treatment-resistant OCD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current applications of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for OCD.
- To assess the potential of tDCS as a therapeutic tool for treatment-resistant OCD.
- To outline future clinical directions for tDCS in OCD management.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search on PubMed following PRISMA guidelines.
- Included case reports, open-label studies, and one randomized trial.
- Analyzed data from 77 patients receiving active tDCS targeting prefrontal and motor areas.
Main Results:
- Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) demonstrated potential in reducing obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
- tDCS also showed efficacy in alleviating comorbid depression and anxiety.
- Diverse electrode montages were employed, primarily targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, or supplementary motor area.
Conclusions:
- Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising intervention for treatment-resistant OCD.
- Despite methodological limitations and heterogeneity, tDCS may offer symptom relief.
- Further sham-controlled studies are essential to validate these preliminary findings.
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