Adverse effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) in a group of psychiatric patients

Abstract

Transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) is a promising neuromodulatory treatment option in neuropsychiatry. However, such a novel neuromodulation application also brings challenges regarding safety. In this paper, we aimed to provide a retrospective evaluation of adverse effects related to TDCS implementation in a group of psychiatric patients. Twenty-nine patients who were on TDCS with different psychiatric diagnosis were evaluated retrospectively. Occurrence and severity of adverse events monitored with a questionnaire. No subjects experienced seizures or other adverse effects requiring medical intervention. During TDCS an itching sensation was the most common reported adverse effect (48 %, n=12) whereas after TDCS fatigue occurred in 32% of cases (n=8). Also one patient reported mild nausea during the first 3 sessions and one patient reported numbness in the electrode area. Transient redness at the site of stimulation was reported by 3 (12%) of patients. None of the reported side effects were marked as severe.Results suggest that TDCS applied according to the present TDCS safety guidelines, is associated with relatively minor adverse effects in psychiatric population.Our findings encourage further prospective studies to explore the effect of TDCS in psychiatric diseases