Transcranial Direct-Current Stimulation (tDCS) Versus Venlafaxine ER In The Treatment Of Depression: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Single-Center Study With Open-Label, Follow-Up.

Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS), a relatively new neuromodulation approach, provides some evidence of an antidepressant effect. This randomized, 4-week, double-blind study with 8-week, open-label, follow-up compared the efficacy and tolerability of left anodal tDCS with venlafaxine ER (VNF) in the treatment of depression and prevention of early relapse. Subjects (n = 57) received tDCS (2 mA, 20 sessions, 30 mins) plus placebo (n = 29) or VNF plus sham tDCS (n = 28). Responders to both interventions entered the open-label follow-up. The primary outcome was score change in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) at week 4 of the study. Secondary outcomes were response, remission, dropout rates and relapse rates within the follow-up. The mean change in the MADRS score from baseline to week for patients treated with tDCS was 7.69 (95% CI, 5.09-10.29) points and 9.64 (95% CI, 6.20-13.09) points for patients from the VNF group, a nonsignificant difference (1.95, 95% CI -2.25-6.16; A relatively small sample size and short duration of the antidepressant treatment; no placebo arm. Overall, this study found a similar efficacy of tDCS and VNF in the acute treatment of depression and prevention of early relapse. The real clinical usefulness of tDCS and its optimal parameters in the treatment of depression should be further validated.

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© 2019 Bares et al.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Dr Martin Bareš and Dr Martin Brunovsky report grant from AZV ČR (Czech Health Research Council), during the conduct of the study (nr. 1529900A) and grants from AZV ČR nr.16-31380A and nr.15-33250A, ouside the submitted work. Dr Pavla Stopkova reports grant, personal fees from AZV ČR grant nr. 15-29900A, during the conduct of the study. She also received grant, personal fees from grant AZV MZ ČR nr. 16-29857A, outside the submitted work. Dr Martin Hejzlar reports grant from AZV ČR nr. 15-29900A, during the conduct of the study. Dr Tomas Novak reports grant from AZV ČR nr. 1529900A, during the conduct of the study; personal fees from Krka CR and grant from AZV ČR 16-31380A, outside the submitted work. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.