Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in children with ADHD: A randomized, sham-controlled pilot study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pediatric Psychiatry
• Neuromodulation

Background:

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects 5.2% of children, with medication limitations necessitating alternative treatments.
• Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is explored as an ADHD therapy, but results are mixed.
• Investigating combined tDCS and cognitive training (CT) protocols is crucial for understanding efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of tDCS combined with CT in pediatric ADHD.
• To determine if anodal tDCS over the DLPFC offers benefits beyond CT alone.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled pilot study involving 25 children with ADHD.
• Participants received 12 sessions of anodal tDCS or sham-tDCS combined with CT over four weeks.
• Assessments were conducted pre-intervention, after 6 and 12 sessions, and one month post-intervention.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in ADHD or executive function improvements were found between tDCS and sham groups.
• Both groups showed improvements in questionnaire measures, with mixed results on computerized tasks.
• Adverse effects were mild and comparable, though headaches occurred in three children in the tDCS group.

Conclusions:

• Anodal tDCS to the DLPFC, when combined with CT, did not provide additional therapeutic benefits for ADHD in children.
• The study highlights the need for refined tDCS protocols or alternative neuromodulation strategies for pediatric ADHD.