Flow tDCS headset for depression.
Discussion
Anyone tried one, know someone who has?
I've been on ADs for a few years now. Last time I came off them I was a mess, angry, suicidal etc, but I don't like them. I gain weight I can't lose and feel like I'm between doses, if I go up I'm a mindless slob with zero will to do anything, if I go down I'm a raging angry loon.
On the face of it, these devices seem to be the answer to all of my problems, no drugs and no depression, but if something seems too good to be true...
They're not crazy money for what they promise, but £400 isn't pocket change either.
I've been on ADs for a few years now. Last time I came off them I was a mess, angry, suicidal etc, but I don't like them. I gain weight I can't lose and feel like I'm between doses, if I go up I'm a mindless slob with zero will to do anything, if I go down I'm a raging angry loon.
On the face of it, these devices seem to be the answer to all of my problems, no drugs and no depression, but if something seems too good to be true...
They're not crazy money for what they promise, but £400 isn't pocket change either.
Never heard of them, so had a look.
References/meta studies on Wikipedia seems to suggest they may be effective. If you’re skint, may not be worth the financial risk, if you’re reasonably well off looks like it would be worth a punt.
Depression
Determining the safety and effectiveness of tDCS treatment for people with depression is being investigated:
A systematic review of placebo-controlled trials investigating tDCS treatment for major depressive disorder was published 2020.[10] The meta-analysis collated results across nine eligible studies (572 participants) up until December 2018 to estimate odds ratio (OR) and number needed to treat (NNT) of response and remission, and depression improvement. The results showed statistically superior efficacy of active tDCS compared to sham for nine eligible studies (572 participants), presenting moderate/high certainty of evidence, were included. Active tDCS was significantly superior to sham for response (30.9% vs. 18.9% respectively; OR = 1.96, 95%CI [1.30–2.95], NNT = 9), remission (19.9% vs. 11.7%, OR = 1.94 [1.19–3.16], NNT = 13) and depression improvement (effect size of β = 0.31, [0.15–0.47]).[10]
A 2016 meta-analysis showed that 34% of people treated with tDCS showed at least 50% symptom reduction (compared to 19% placebo).[42]
A 2017 study conducted by Brunoni showed 6-weeks of tDCS treatment resulted in reduction of at least half of depression symptoms in 41% of depressed people (vs. 22% placebo and 47% antidepressants).[43]
In 2015, the British National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) found tDCS to be safe and to appear effective for depression treatment. Up until 2014, there have been several small randomized clinical trials (RCT) in major depressive disorder (MDD); most found alleviation of depressive symptoms. There have been only two RCTs in treatment-resistant MDD; both were small, and one found an effect and the other did not.[44] One meta-analysis of the data focused on reduction in symptoms and found an effect compared to sham treatment, but another that was focused on relapse found no effect compared to sham.[44]
References/meta studies on Wikipedia seems to suggest they may be effective. If you’re skint, may not be worth the financial risk, if you’re reasonably well off looks like it would be worth a punt.
Depression
Determining the safety and effectiveness of tDCS treatment for people with depression is being investigated:
A systematic review of placebo-controlled trials investigating tDCS treatment for major depressive disorder was published 2020.[10] The meta-analysis collated results across nine eligible studies (572 participants) up until December 2018 to estimate odds ratio (OR) and number needed to treat (NNT) of response and remission, and depression improvement. The results showed statistically superior efficacy of active tDCS compared to sham for nine eligible studies (572 participants), presenting moderate/high certainty of evidence, were included. Active tDCS was significantly superior to sham for response (30.9% vs. 18.9% respectively; OR = 1.96, 95%CI [1.30–2.95], NNT = 9), remission (19.9% vs. 11.7%, OR = 1.94 [1.19–3.16], NNT = 13) and depression improvement (effect size of β = 0.31, [0.15–0.47]).[10]
A 2016 meta-analysis showed that 34% of people treated with tDCS showed at least 50% symptom reduction (compared to 19% placebo).[42]
A 2017 study conducted by Brunoni showed 6-weeks of tDCS treatment resulted in reduction of at least half of depression symptoms in 41% of depressed people (vs. 22% placebo and 47% antidepressants).[43]
In 2015, the British National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) found tDCS to be safe and to appear effective for depression treatment. Up until 2014, there have been several small randomized clinical trials (RCT) in major depressive disorder (MDD); most found alleviation of depressive symptoms. There have been only two RCTs in treatment-resistant MDD; both were small, and one found an effect and the other did not.[44] One meta-analysis of the data focused on reduction in symptoms and found an effect compared to sham treatment, but another that was focused on relapse found no effect compared to sham.[44]
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff