Journal of Capital Medical University ›› 2022, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (2): 244-248.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-7795.2022.02.014

• Research of Neurostimulation Treatment and Rehabilitation for Mental Disease • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Efficacy and safety of transcranial alternating-current stimulation combined with antidepressants in the treatment of depressive episode

Luo Jiong1,2, Sun Congcong1,2, Pan Weigang1,2, Wang Dan1,2, Shi Xiaoning1,2, Wang Qian1,2, Jin Wenqing1,2, Liang Lirong3, Yang Chunlin1,2, Ma Xin1,2, Ren Yanping1,2*   

  1. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders & The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing 100088, China;
    2. Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069,China;
    3. Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
  • Received:2021-11-10 Online:2022-04-21 Published:2022-04-14
  • Contact: *E-mail:renyanping@ccmu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission (D171100007017001).

Abstract: Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) combined with antidepressants in the treatment of depression. Methods Sixty-two patients with depressive episode were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. Both groups took antidepressants. The patients in the treatment group received real tACS while the patients in the control group were treated with sham tACS. The treatment session was 20 times in both groups. The treatment site was prefrontal and bilateral mastoid, with a frequency of 77.5 Hz and intensity of 15 mA. Hamilton Depression Scale-17 Item (HAMD-17) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were used to evaluate the clinical symptoms at baseline, the end of treatment (4 weeks), and follow-up (8 weeks). Results The scores of HAMD-17 and HAMA in the treatment and control groups at baseline, 4 weeks of treatment, and 8 weeks of follow-up were compared with repeated measurement analysis of variance. The total score of HAMD-17 in the two groups decreased gradually with the extension of treatment and follow-up time (P time<0.05). The decrease in the treatment group was greater than that in the control group (P group<0.05), and the effect of treatment increased with the extension of observation time (Pinteraction <0.05). The total score of HAMA in both groups decreased gradually with the extension of treatment and follow-up time (P time<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P group>0.05). The score reduction rates of HAMD-17 in the treatment and control groups at the end of the fourth week were74.29%±8.40% vs 32.54%±13.30%, respectively. At the end of the 8th week, the score reduction rates of HAMD-17 were 81.00%±10.68% vs 40.27%±12.92%, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). Conclusion tACS combined with antidepressants is effective and safe in the treatment of depressive episodes. It can be used as a new choice for the combined treatment of depressive episodes.

Key words: transcranial alternating-current stimulation (tACS), depressive episode, efficacy, safety

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