TOLERABILITY AND SAFETY OF 219 TRANSCRANIAL DIRECT CURRENT STIMULATION (tDCS) 2.0 mA SESSIONS IN ADULT PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of the study was to evaluate safety and tolerability of tDCS treatment in schizophrenia patients. Our results confirm already established evidence that tDCS is a very safe and well tolerated method of non-invasive brain stimulation for patients with schizophrenia. Subjects and methods: Database of 219 tDCS sessions in patients with paranoid schizophrenia has been analyzed. Results: During 219 tDCS sessions there were no serious adverse effects. All adverse effects were mild to moderate and transitory and the most frequent were: itching/tingling (81%), burning (53%) or heat sensation (48%) and skin reddening (35%). Itching/tingling and burning sensation were also frequently reported as at least moderately severe. All major adverse events (itching/tingling, burning/heat sensation) were more often localized by patients under the anodal pad. Men were more prone to experience some adverse events (itching/tingling, burning/heat sensation, skin reddening, metallic taste and tiredness). Most of the adverse events had their onset at the beginning of tDCS session, resolved by the end of tDCS session (with the exception of skin reddening, which recovered within 30 minutes after stimulation) and were associated with mild or moderate distress. Conclusion: Our results confirm already established evidence that tDCS is a very safe and well tolerated method of non-invasive brain stimulation for patients with schizophrenia.