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Date Published: 10/12/2025
Abstract Views: 13
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DOI: 10.56535/jmpm.v50si4.1413
Issue
Vol. 50 No. si4 (2025): JOURNAL OF MILITARY PHARMACO-MEDICINE - SPECIAL ISSUE 12/2025
Section
Special issue celebrating the 75th anniversary of Military Hospital 103
How to Cite
Do, X. T., Tran, V. T., Bui, Q. H., Dinh, V. H., Nguyen, T. D., Nguyen, T. D., Nguyen, V. L., Pham, T. T., & Le, V. Q. (2025). EVALUATION OF THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF TRANSCRANIAL DIRECT CURRENT STIMULATION IN PATIENTS WITH DEPRESSION. Journal of Military Pharmaco-medicine, 50(si4), 215-223. https://doi.org/10.56535/jmpm.v50si4.1413

EVALUATION OF THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF TRANSCRANIAL DIRECT CURRENT STIMULATION IN PATIENTS WITH DEPRESSION

Xuan Tinh Do1, Viet Tien Tran2, Quang Huy Bui1, Viet Hung Dinh1, Trong Dao Nguyen1, Tat Dinh Nguyen1, Van Linh Nguyen1, Thi Thu Pham1, Van Quan Le3,
1 Bộ môn - Khoa Tâm thần, Bệnh viện Quân y 103, Học viện Quân y
2 Học viện Quân y
3 Bộ môn - Khoa Chẩn đoán chức năng, Bệnh viện Quân y 103, Học viện Quân y

Main Article Content

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in patients with depression. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive, longitudinal study analysing 140 patients, including 70 patients who received tDCS in combination with pharmacological therapy and 70 patients treated with pharmacological therapy. All participants underwent clinical assessments and laboratory testing at baseline and after 21 days of treatment. Data were processed and analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Results: After 21 days of intervention, the tDCS group demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in core depressive symptoms, including anergia, pessimistic, psychomotor retardation, and emotional instability, compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Both Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) scores showed marked reductions in the tDCS group. tDCS was a safe technique as no serious adverse events were reported; minor side effects such as localized skin irritation and itching at the electrode sites were observed in a few cases. No clinically significant changes in biochemical or hematological parameters were detected post-treatment. Conclusion: tDCS is a safe and effective adjunctive treatment modality for patients with depression.

Keywords

Depression, Transcranial direct current stimulation, Safety and efficacy

Article Details

References

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