Patients with depression may soon have a new treatment option available to them – a brain-stimulation device that can be used at home. A recent clinical trial has shown promising results, suggesting that patients can use a headset that delivers a weak electric current to a specific part of the brain, known as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), under remote supervision.
The trial, conducted with 87 patients with depression, showed that those who used the tDCS headset at home for nearly three months experienced significant improvements in their symptoms compared to a control group. This approach could potentially be a first-line treatment for depression, offering an alternative to traditional treatments like antidepressant drugs.
While the findings of the trial are promising, experts have pointed out some limitations. For example, some patients were able to guess whether they were receiving the real treatment or not, which could have biased the results. Additionally, the study mainly included white participants, raising questions about the treatment’s effectiveness across different demographics. Patients with more severe forms of depression were also excluded from the study, which may impact the generalizability of the findings.
Despite these limitations, the results of the trial are still considered valuable in exploring new treatment options for depression. Improving access to safe and effective mental health care is crucial, and research like this plays a significant role in achieving that goal.
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Emily, a health news writer based in London, has a background in biology and neuroscience. She has experience in science communication, medical writing, and journalism, and has been recognized as one of MHP Communications’ 30 journalists to watch under 30. Feel free to contact her at emily.cooke@futurenet.com for any inquiries.