After the treatment period, patients in the active tDCS group improved their Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) scores by an average of 9.41 points, compared to a 7.14-point improvement in the control group.

Additionally, the study excluded patients with severe depression, which may limit the applicability of the results to those with more serious conditions.

A recent study published in Nature Medicine reveals that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) significantly improves depressive symptoms, suggesting it could become a first-line treatment for depression.

Participants using active tDCS experienced a remission rate of 44.9%, which is three times higher than the 21.8% remission rate observed in the placebo group.

The clinical trial involved 174 adult participants diagnosed with moderate to severe depression, who underwent a 10-week treatment program using tDCS.

During the trial, the treatment group received a mild electric current of 2 milliamperes for 30 minutes, five times a week initially, followed by three sessions per week.

However, the study faced limitations, including potential biases as many patients guessed their treatment status and a lack of diversity in the study population.

This study supports the feasibility of delivering mental health treatments in a home setting, addressing accessibility issues that many face.

Experts stress the importance of exploring safe and effective mental health care options, despite these limitations.

Major depressive disorder is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and current treatments often fail to provide full remission for over a third of patients.

Lead investigator Rodrigo Machado-Vieira noted that the findings represent a significant advancement in the treatment of mood disorders.

Researchers specifically targeted the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a brain region linked to decision-making and often less active in individuals suffering from depression.