JAMA Netw Open

Transcranial electrical stimulation shows modest benefit in depression treatment

June 25, 2025

Study details: This systematic review and meta-analysis included 88 randomized trials (n=5,522) evaluating the efficacy and safety of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) modalities—including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), and transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS)—in treating major depressive disorder (MDD) and depression with comorbid conditions.

Results: tES was associated with reduced depressive symptoms overall (standardized mean difference [SMD], -0.59; low quality of evidence [QOE]).

• tDCS showed benefit in depression with medical (SMD, -1.05; very low QOE) and psychiatric comorbidities (SMD, -0.88; low QOE), but not in MDD alone.
• tACS improved MDD symptoms (SMD, -0.58) and response rates (odds ratio [OR], 2.07), both with high QOE.
• tDCS combined with medication improved symptoms (SMD, -0.51, moderate QOE) and response (OR, 2.25, high QOE) in MDD.

Adverse events were generally mild to moderate.

Clinical impact: tES appears safe and modestly effective, particularly in combination with pharmacotherapy or in comorbid populations. Future research should refine patient selection and stimulation protocols.

Source:

Ren C, et al. (2025, June 2). JAMA Netw Open. Transcranial Electrical Stimulation in Treatment of Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40531534/