Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in the Treatment of Youth Depression: Integrating Literature Review Insights in a Pilot Clinical Trial
Lo et al, 2025. Journal of Clinical Medicine.
- tDCS shows potential as a safe, acceptable treatment for youth depression, supported by a review of 14 studies (2 showing significant symptom improvement).
- This pilot trial demonstrated high attendance, no dropouts, and no serious adverse events across a 5-day, 2 mA protocol.
- Decentralized tDCS delivery was feasible but required prompting, possibly affecting adherence.
- The study offers practical insights for designing future trials, though more robust evidence and long-term safety evaluation are needed.
- It is the first to both review and pilot youth tDCS, providing a foundation for future research.