Assessing tDCS efficacy in reducing negative symptoms in schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Guiomar et al, 2025. Brain Stimulation.

• Subgroup and meta-regression explored clinical, demographic, and protocol factors.

• Subgroup analysis showed stronger therapeutic effects in schizophrenia-only samples and when targeting negative symptoms.

• The significant and modest treatment effect size favoring active tDCS vs. sham persisted after excluding high-risk studies.

• tDCS was safe and well-tolerated, but therapeutic effects did not persist at follow-up.