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Technique and Considerations in the Use of 4x1 Ring High-definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation HD-tDCS
Published on: July 14, 2013
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High-definition transcranial direct current simulation (HD-tDCS) for persistent auditory hallucinations in
Vanteemar S Sreeraj1, Damodharan Dinakaran1, Rujuta Parlikar1
1WISER Neuromodulation Program, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India.
Asian Journal of Psychiatry
|August 16, 2018
Summary
High-Definition transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) effectively reduced auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia patients. This add-on therapy shows promise for treating persistent symptoms, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Persistent auditory hallucinations (AH) are a challenging symptom in schizophrenia.
- Conventional transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) has shown potential as an add-on therapy for AH.
- High-Definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) offers more focalized neuromodulation compared to conventional tDCS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of add-on High-Definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) in reducing persistent auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia patients.
- To evaluate the safety and feasibility of a specific HD-tDCS protocol for schizophrenia treatment.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 19 schizophrenia patients with persistent auditory hallucinations.
- Administered add-on HD-tDCS using a 4x1 ring montage with a 2-mA cathodal current on the left temporo-parietal junction.
- Treatment consisted of twice-daily sessions over 5 days.
Main Results:
- Add-on HD-tDCS significantly reduced persistent auditory hallucinations (t=3.6; p<0.01).
- The intervention was delivered over 5 days with twice-daily sessions.
- A sample size of 19 schizophrenia patients was included in the study.
Conclusions:
- Add-on HD-tDCS demonstrates promising potential for treating persistent auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia.
- The findings suggest HD-tDCS as a viable therapeutic option for this patient population.
- Further systematic research is recommended to confirm these results and explore long-term effects.
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