The Immediate and Sustained Effects of Multi-Session Biparietal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Insight in...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Impaired insight into illness is prevalent in schizophrenia, impacting treatment adherence and outcomes.
• Interhemispheric frontoparietal imbalance may underlie impaired insight and is a potential target for neuromodulation.
• Current treatments for impaired insight in schizophrenia are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of multisession biparietal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for improving insight into illness in schizophrenia.
• To assess both immediate and sustained effects of biparietal tDCS on insight.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 34 participants with schizophrenia and impaired insight.
• Participants received either active or sham biparietal tDCS (P4/P3) twice daily for 10 days.
• Insight was measured using the VAGUS Insight into Psychosis scale at baseline, post-treatment, and weekly for 4 weeks.

Main Results:

• Active biparietal tDCS significantly improved VAGUS insight scores immediately after treatment.
• The improvements in insight were sustained for up to 4 weeks post-treatment.

Conclusions:

• Biparietal tDCS demonstrates potential as an effective intervention for enhancing insight in individuals with schizophrenia.
• Further research is warranted to explore its use as an adjunct to medication for improving treatment adherence.