The Effectiveness of tDCS And TMS for Treatment of Depression

Abstract

Depression is a prevalent mental disorder that can lead to negative emotional states and physical reactions, including pain, insomnia, cognitive disorder and even suicidal tendencies, which largely effect one’s daily life. With the increasing pressures of modern life, the incidence of depression has risen, highlighting the importance of effective treatment. While antidepressants are commonly used, they often come with side effects and may lose effectiveness over time, especially in cases of Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). In order to find a more efficient and safer way to cure depression, neuromodulation techniques has been involved in the treatment. Neuromodulation techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) have emerged as promising alternatives for depression treatment. These techniques modulate brain activity by applying electric currents or magnetic fields to specific areas of the brain. This study aims to compare tDCS and TMS in the treatment of depression by reviewing their advantages and disadvantages. Results indicate that both tDCS and TMS show promise in treating depression, with tDCS demonstrating moderate effectiveness for acute depression and TMS proving effective, especially for TRD. While both techniques have shown improvements in depressive symptoms, they differ in terms of mechanism, efficacy, safety, and convenience.