Transcranial direct current stimulation for treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder-A large case series

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Neuromodulation

Background:

• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating mental health condition.
• Treatment-resistant OCD poses a significant clinical challenge, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a treatment for individuals with treatment-resistant OCD.
• To assess the response rates and potential benefits of anodal pre-SMA tDCS in this patient population.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective case series analysis of 32 patients diagnosed with treatment-resistant OCD.
• Patients received 10-20 sessions of anodal pre-SMA tDCS.
• Outcomes were assessed based on response criteria at the end of the treatment course.

Main Results:

• A total of 9 out of 32 patients (28%) demonstrated at least a partial response to tDCS.
• Specifically, 8 patients (25%) were classified as responders and 1 patient (3%) as a partial responder.
• Further improvement was observed in partial responders between 10 and 20 sessions.

Conclusions:

• Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) shows potential as an adjunctive therapy for a subset of patients with treatment-resistant OCD.
• These findings suggest that tDCS may offer a viable neuromodulatory option for individuals who have not responded to conventional treatments.
• Further research is warranted to optimize tDCS protocols and identify predictors of response in OCD.