A clinical study demonstrates the effectiveness of home treatment in improving the symptoms of major depressive disorder without the need for frequent visits to healthcare facilities.
A new brain stimulation treatment performed right at home has shown promising results in improving the symptoms of people with major depressive disorder, according to a clinical study published in Nature Medicine. This innovative therapy could represent a valid alternative for patients, avoiding the need for frequent visits to the clinic.
Major depressive disorder is a leading cause of disability worldwide and represents the most important risk factor for suicide. Currently, first-line treatments include antidepressant drugs and psychological therapies, but more than a third of patients do not achieve complete remission of symptoms. An emerging treatment option is noninvasive brain stimulation called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). This technique applies a weak electrical current to the brain via electrodes placed on the scalp, and in previous studies it has been used mainly in a clinical setting, with daily sessions for a few weeks.
The team led by Cynthia Fu has developed a protocol that allows tDCS to be performed directly at home, with real-time remote supervision via videoconference. The study involved 174 patients suffering from major depressive disorder, divided between the United Kingdom and the United States, who followed a 10-week home treatment. The results showed a significant improvement in depressive symptoms in patients who received tDCS compared to those treated with control therapy. Furthermore, clinical response and remission rates were higher in the tDCS group.
A positive aspect of this treatment is its safety: no serious adverse events related to the use of the device were reported during the study. Although continued safety surveillance is needed, the findings suggest that home tDCS could become one of the first treatment options for people with major depressive disorder.
Item Nature Medicine: Home-based transcranial direct current stimulation treatment for major depressive disorder: a fully remote phase 2 randomized sham-controlled trial. DOI 10.1038/s41591-024-03305-y.
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