Transcranial direct current stimulation targeting dmPFC ameliorates somatic symptoms in depression: A randomized...

As common manifestations of depression, somatic symptoms are associated with treatment-resistant depression and a poor prognosis. Existing therapy for somatic symptoms, such as antidepressants and psychotherapy, have limited efficacy. Therefore, seeking effective and acceptable therapy for somatic symptoms is vital.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) in depressed patients with somatic symptoms.

The tDCS over the dmPFC was administrated to depressive patients for 2 weeks using a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled design. Clinical symptoms were assessed at baseline, following tDCS, and 6 weeks after the treatment session. Structural neuroimaging data were collected to build individualized finite element models. Computed median and maximum current density values in the dmPFC and bilateral amygdala regions of interest (ROIs) were correlated with the alleviated somatic symptoms.

Sixty-five patients were initially in the study; 57 completed the trial. The active group displayed greater improvements in somatic symptoms compared to the sham group after tDCS. During follow-up, the active group showed a higher responder ratio than the sham group, though not a greater improvement. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between individualized electric fields of the right amygdala and changes in somatic symptoms in the active group.

The tDCS targeting dmPFC was shown to be an effective and acceptable complementary therapy for depressed patients with somatic symptoms. The right amygdala electric field was associated with alleviation of somatic symptoms following tDCS treatment.