Transcranial direct current stimulation for treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder-A large case series

Objective: The present study is a large case series evaluating the benefits of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in treatment-resistant obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Methods: We reviewed the charts of 32 patients with treatment-resistant OCD who received 10-20 sessions of anodal pre-SMA tDCS. Results: Overall, 9 (28 %) showed at least partial response to tDCS at the end of 10-20 sessions [responders = 8 (25 %), partial responders = 1 (3%)]. Two out of three partial responders at the end of 10 sessions had response at the end of 20 sessions. Conclusions: tDCS may benefit a proportion of patients with treatment-resistant OCD.

Automated summary

The study indicates that transcranial direct current stimulation may have beneficial effects on some patients with treatment-resistant OCD, with approximately 28% of patients showing at least partial response after 10-20 sessions of treatment.