Home-based Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) for the Management of Psychiatric Disorders: A Scoping Review

Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique increasingly recognized for its therapeutic potential in psychiatric disorders. Recent advances have enabled its administration in home settings, potentially increasing accessibility, reducing costs, and overcoming logistical barriers to in-clinic care. This scoping review systematically maps the preliminary evidence on home-based tES interventions for psychiatric disorders, while also assessing their feasibility, safety, and methodological trends.

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), we conducted a comprehensive literature search in PubMed and Scopus, covering publications from 2000 to 2024. Eligible studies examined the use of home-based tES (transcranial direct current stimulation [tDCS], transcranial alternating current stimulation [tACS]) for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Extracted data included study characteristics, stimulation protocols, monitoring approaches, outcomes, and reported challenges. Forty-three studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 19 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 12 open-label studies, and 12 case series or case reports. These studies encompass various psychiatric conditions, with depressive disorder and mild cognitive impairment/dementia being the most frequently investigated. The majority of the studies utilized tDCS, often with remote supervision or digital support.

Our review suggests high feasibility, good adherence, and minimal adverse effects, with potential symptom improvement across various disorders. However, small sample sizes, heterogeneity in protocols, and limited long-term data restrict the generalizability of results. Larger, methodologically rigorous trials are needed to establish efficacy, optimize stimulation parameters, and inform standardized guidelines for safe at-home tES use. Integration with telehealth systems and digital therapeutics may further enhance its scalability.