Transcranial direct current stimulation in the management of epilepsy: a meta-analysis and systematic review

Bibliographic Details
Title: Transcranial direct current stimulation in the management of epilepsy: a meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Yujie Chen, Zhujing Ou, Nanya Hao, Hesheng Zhang, Enhui Zhang, Dong Zhou, Xintong Wu
Source: Frontiers in Neurology, Vol 15 (2024)
Publisher Information: Frontiers Media S.A., 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Collection: LCC:Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system
Subject Terms: brain stimulation, transcranial electric stimulation, seizure, temporal lobe epilepsy, nerve stimulation, brain polarization, Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system, RC346-429
More Details: BackgroundTranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has recently become a novel and non-invasive treatment option for refractory epilepsy. Previous systematic reviews have suggested that tDCS may be effective in treating epilepsy, this study presents the first meta-analysis on its effectiveness.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from database inception to May 2024. The Cochrane risk of bias tool RoB2.0 was used to assess the risk of bias. Primary outcomes included changes in seizure frequency from baseline and the proportion of patients with a ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency.ResultsOf the 608 studies initially identified, 14 were finally included. The pooled results from the random-effects model indicated that tDCS significantly reduced seizure frequency (WMD 0.41, 95% CI 0.24, 0.59). Further subgroup analysis revealed that tDCS significantly reduced seizure frequency in temporal lobe epilepsy, and seizure frequency was more alleviated in studies that had treatment sessions of fewer than 5 times, and followed up within 2 months' post-treatment. Only four studies provided data on patients with a ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency, showing no significant difference (RR 2.96, 95% CI 0.85, 10.32). In the systematic review, three studies analyzed cognitive function changes after tDCS treatment, but none reported significant improvements. The most common side effect during tDCS treatment was transient tingling, and no patients required additional life-support measures due to side effects.ConclusionThe current meta-analysis on available trials indicates that tDCS can effectively reduce seizure frequency in the short term and is well-tolerated. However, its impact on cognitive improvement in epilepsy patients requires further investigation.Systematic review registrationhttps://inplasy.com/inplasy-2024-6-0033/, identifier INPLASY202460033.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1664-2295
Relation: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2024.1462364/full; https://doaj.org/toc/1664-2295
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1462364
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/c197c5b8ec8549989dac1b8daf3c677b
Accession Number: edsdoj.197c5b8ec8549989dac1b8daf3c677b
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:16642295
DOI:10.3389/fneur.2024.1462364
Published in:Frontiers in Neurology
Language:English