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A systematic review of randomized controlled trials on efficacy and safety of transcranial direct current stimulation in major neurodevelopmental disorders: ADHD, autism, and dyslexia
Systematic review on tDCS efficacy in ADHD, ASD, and dyslexia
December 9, 2024
author
Salehinejad MA, Ghanavati E, Glinski B, Hallajian AH, Azarkolah A
journal
Brain Behav.
Date Published
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Study Summary
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What They Studied
The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in children and adolescents with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and dyslexia.
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What They Found
The study found that tDCS is generally safe and effective, with over two-thirds of the trials showing improvements in children and adolescents with ADHD, ASD, and dyslexia, especially using multi-session designs.
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What This Means
These findings suggest tDCS can be a beneficial treatment option for neurodevelopmental disorders, showing significant promise compared to medication-focused treatments like those previously recommended for ADHD, autism, and dyslexia.
Study Overview
Background & Objectives
Children with ADHD often use medications like Adderall to improve focus and reduce impulsivity. However, concerns about side effects have spurred exploration of alternative treatments.
This study reviews the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on ADHD, autism, and dyslexia in youth, aiming to assess safety and effectiveness in addressing these neurodevelopmental disorders.
This study reviews the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on ADHD, autism, and dyslexia in youth, aiming to assess safety and effectiveness in addressing these neurodevelopmental disorders.
Abstract: background
Among the target groups in child and adolescent psychiatry, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been more applied in neu...more
Study Summary
Methods
Researchers followed a detailed protocol to examine relevant studies, finding 35 trials that tested the effects of tDCS on youth with ADHD, ASD, and dyslexia. These trials were rigorous, meaning they compared tDCS to a placebo or sham treatment to assess its real impact.
In total, they looked at 17 studies for ADHD, 11 for ASD, and 7 for dyslexia, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of tDCS's impact across these groups.
In total, they looked at 17 studies for ADHD, 11 for ASD, and 7 for dyslexia, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of tDCS's impact across these groups.
Abstract: methods
Based on a pre-registered protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42022321430) and using the PRISMA approach, a literature search identified 35 randomiz...more
Study Results
Results
The research showed promising results with tDCS helping improve symptoms. In ADHD, specific brain areas benefited more, such as the prefrontal region. Similar findings were seen in ASD, while dyslexia showed improvement when stimulating certain temporal areas.
Most studies saw positive changes in at least one area of symptoms, especially with multiple sessions. About 88% of studies saw significant improvements, and no serious side effects were reported in nearly 7,000 sessions.
Most studies saw positive changes in at least one area of symptoms, especially with multiple sessions. About 88% of studies saw significant improvements, and no serious side effects were reported in nearly 7,000 sessions.
Abstract: results
In ADHD, prefrontal anodal tDCS is reported more effective compared to stimulation of the right inferior frontal gyrus. Similarly in AS...more
Study Summary
Conclusions
Overall, tDCS was a safe and somewhat effective approach for these conditions. However, for a more complete understanding, it's crucial to conduct more extensive trials with better designs.
Future research should focus on exploring different ways to apply tDCS, such as varying how long or intense the stimulation is and how electrodes are positioned. This could help better understand and utilize tDCS in clinical settings.
Future research should focus on exploring different ways to apply tDCS, such as varying how long or intense the stimulation is and how electrodes are positioned. This could help better understand and utilize tDCS in clinical settings.
Abstract: conclusions
tDCS was found safe and partially effective. For evaluation of clinical utility, larger randomized controlled trials with a double-blind design and follow-up measurements are required. Titration studies that systematically evaluate different stimulat...more
Clinical Guidelines
Guidelines suggest that comprehensive evaluation, including psychosocial and educational assessment, confirms ADHD in children by identifying symptom persistence and ruling out other disorders. Behavioral therapy is the recommended initial approach for preschoolers with ADHD, while stimulant medications demonstrate significant efficacy.
Clinicians should screen for comorbidities such as autism spectrum disorders during ADHD assessments, and training programs focused on school skills greatly benefit adolescents.
Clinicians should screen for comorbidities such as autism spectrum disorders during ADHD assessments, and training programs focused on school skills greatly benefit adolescents.
Literature Review
Dehghani-Arani, 2024
Core Insight:Both papers explore brain stimulation therapies but in different disorders.
What It Adds:
Effective Areas: Main paper focuses on prefrontal areas for ADHD and ASD, comparison paper highlights dorsolateral prefrontal for OCD.
Safety and Efficacy: Main paper finds tDCS safe, comparison paper shows moderate efficacy of rTMS.
Literature Review
Zakibakhsh, 2024
Core Insight:Both papers investigate transcranial direct current stimulation and its effectiveness on different disorders, focusing on mental and cognitive improvements.
What It Adds:
Mental Health and Cognition: The comparison paper reports benefits of brain stimulation on mental health and cognition, concordant with the main paper's findings on cognitive effects.
Target Populations: The main paper addresses children with neurodevelopmental disorders; this paper focuses on adults with multiple sclerosis.
Shared Themes:Both explore brain stimulation's therapeutic role in improving both mental health and cognitive performance.
Literature Review
Hallajian, 2024
Core Insight:The comparison paper explores the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, focusing on brain activation and memory performance, using an intensified protocol (3mA). It suggests potential neurophysiological benefits and lays groundwork for future research.
What It Adds:
Understanding tDCS in schizophrenia: This paper expands on tDCS's effects beyond ADHD, autism, and dyslexia, highlighting its use for cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
Focus on intensified stimulation: Unlike the primary paper's general tDCS protocols, this paper investigates an intensified 3mA protocol's effects on brain physiology.
