Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) enhances cognitive function in schizophrenia: A randomized double-blind sham-controlled trial
This study aimed to examine the cognitive effects of tDCS and the subjective cognitive improvement perceived by patients with schizophrenia. A total of 173 outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia were recruited for this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Two different stimulation m...
| Autores: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Estado: | Versión publicada |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2025 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Fundación para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunitat Valenciana (FISABIO) |
| Repositorio: | r-FISABIO. Repositorio Institucional de Producción Científica |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:fisabio.fundanetsuite.com:p18249 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://fisabio.portalinvestigacion.com/publicaciones/18249 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Schizophrenia Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) Cognition Neurocognition Working memory Subjective perception |
| Sumario: | This study aimed to examine the cognitive effects of tDCS and the subjective cognitive improvement perceived by patients with schizophrenia. A total of 173 outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia were recruited for this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Two different stimulation modes were applied: 2 mA 20 minutes active tDCS and sham tDCS. Ten daily sessions over 10 consecutive weekdays were applied, using a bifrontal montage (F3/F4). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia and the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) were administered at baseline. The MCCB and a scale designed for measuring subjective cognitive improvement were administered to evaluate the outcomes. Post hoc comparisons revealed significant effects between the two types of interventions in Working Memory (EMM difference = 2.716, p < .001) and Neurocognition (EMM difference = 1.289, p = .007. Chi-squared tests demonstrated a significant association between subjective improvement and the treatment group, chi(2) (2) = 10.413, p = .005, Cramer's V = 0.295. A higher proportion of patients in active tDCS (68.6%) reported cognitive improvement compared to sham tDCS (31.4%). We concluded that tDCS can enhance cognition and generate a satisfactory perception of cognitive improvement in patients with schizophrenia. |
|---|