tDCS reduces depression and state anxiety symptoms in older adults from the augmenting cognitive training in older adults study (ACT)
Hausman et al., 2024. Brain Stimulation
- The largest sham-controlled randomized clinical trial for transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) completed to date.
- A sample of 378 older adults recruited from the community completed a 12-week tDCS intervention with cognitive or education training.
- Active tDCS yielded greater reductions in depression and state anxiety than sham.
- These reductions were largest for those with mild depression and moderate/severe state anxiety.
- tDCS effects on state anxiety remained at one year for those with moderate/severe state anxiety.
- There were no significant tDCS effects on trait anxiety.
- tDCS effectively reduces psychological symptoms in a community sample of older adults.