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Efficacy and Safety of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A
Liqiong Wang1, Wenjing Liao1, Rongwang Yang1
1Mental Health Center, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, 310052 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Insights
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) effectively reduces impulsivity and inattention in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This non-invasive brain stimulation method shows significant symptom improvement without increasing adverse effects, offering a safe therapeutic option.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in children.
- Current ADHD treatments include psychotherapy, medication, and educational support.
- Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is an emerging non-invasive brain stimulation technique with potential therapeutic applications for ADHD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of tDCS for ADHD.
- To assess the impact of tDCS on core ADHD symptoms such as impulsivity and inattention.
- To determine the safety profile of tDCS in pediatric ADHD patients.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases was conducted up to December 1, 2024.
- Included studies were RCTs assessing tDCS efficacy for ADHD, with no language restrictions.
- Data on impulsivity, inattention, and adverse events were analyzed using Stata 15.0.
Main Results:
- Seven studies involving 290 patients were included in the meta-analysis.
- tDCS demonstrated a significant reduction in impulsive symptoms (SMD = -0.60) and inattentive symptoms (SMD = -1.00).
- No significant increase in adverse effects was observed (OR = 1.26).
Conclusions:
- tDCS is an effective non-invasive brain stimulation method for improving impulsive and inattentive symptoms in ADHD patients.
- The treatment is associated with a favorable safety profile, with no increased adverse events.
- This meta-analysis provides quantitative evidence supporting the use of tDCS as a safe and effective therapeutic option for ADHD.
Background:
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Treatment strategies include psychotherapy, medication, education, and individual support. Recently, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a potential therapeutic option. We undertook this meta-analysis and systematic review to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tDCS for ADHD.
Methods:
The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of tDCS for ADHD. The search terms included "transcranial direct current stimulation" and "attention deficit hyperactivity disorder". The search was conducted with no language restrictions, up to the deadline of December 1, 2024. Impulsivity symptoms, inattention, adverse events, and correct responses were analyzed using Stata 15.0.
Results:
Seven studies with 290 patients were included. The results of this meta-analysis indicated that tDCS reduced impulsive symptoms [standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.60, 95% CI (-1.04, -0.16)] as well as inattentive symptoms [SMD = -1.00, 95% CI (-1.95, -0.04)] in patients with ADHD, and did not increase adverse effects [odds ratio (OR) = 1.26, 95% CI (0.67, 2.38)].
Conclusions:
tDCS can improve impulsive symptoms and inattentive symptoms in ADHD patients without increasing adverse effects, which is critical in clinical practice, especially when considering non-invasive brain stimulation. The study provided quantitative evidence that tDCS can be used for treating ADHD symptoms without adverse events.
The Prospero Registration:
This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023451277), https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42023451277.
