Open AccessHigh‐definition transcranial direct current stimulation—An open‐label pilot intervention in alleviating depressive symptoms and cognitive deficits in late‐life depression
Author(s) -
Wong Haulam,
Chan Wai Chi,
Wong Yiulung,
Wong Szenga,
Yung Huiyan,
Wong Sauman Corine,
Cheng Pakwing Calvin
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
cns neuroscience and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1755-5949
pISSN - 1755-5930
DOI - 10.1111/cns.13253
Subject(s) - transcranial direct current stimulation , verbal fluency test , depression (economics) , cognition , late life depression , randomized controlled trial , medicine , psychology , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , psychological intervention , physical therapy , clinical psychology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychiatry , stimulation , neuropsychology , economics , macroeconomics
Abstract The efficacy of high‐definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD‐tDCS) in late‐life depression (LLD) remains unknown due to limited research on its therapeutic effects on the hallmarks of LLD—the depressive and cognitive symptoms. The present open‐label pilot study aimed to examine the effectiveness of HD‐tDCS as an augmentation therapy with antidepressants in improving the depressive and cognitive symptoms for LLD. Significant improvements were hypothesized in the depressive, cognitive, and daily functioning outcomes over time. A total of 15 subjects with LLD (13 females, mean age = 73.27 ± 6.25) received five consecutive daily sessions of 20‐minute active HD‐tDCS interventions weekly for 2 weeks, with a 2 mA anodal stimulation over F3 and cathodal stimulation over FC1, AF3, F7, and FC5. Depressive symptoms and cognitive and daily functioning were assessed across five assessment timepoints. The results revealed that the HD‐tDCS was effective in reducing the depressive severity and the remission rates, with a sustained effect at both the 1‐month and 3‐month follow‐up. Pre‐post improvements were seen in the overall cognitive functioning and in verbal fluency, but not in executive functioning. Our pilot study provides a preliminary result of HD‐tDCS in LLD, which was a safe and effective treatment in alleviating depressive symptoms, with mild cognitive improvements observed. Further larger scale randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this result.