Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Post-stroke Depression / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

@#Objective To observe the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on depression, anxiety and cognitive function in patients with post-stroke depression (PSD). Methods From February to August, 2017, 26 patients with PSD were randomly divided into control group (n=13) and treatment group (n=13). All the patients accepted sertraline, while the treatment group accepted tDCS, and the control group accepted sham stimulation. They were evaluated with Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) before and after treatment. Results Twelve patients in the treatment group and ten patients in the control group completed the trial. The scores of HAMD, HAMA and MMSE improved in both groups (t>2.331, P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between two groups (t<1.642, P>0.05). The scores of anxiety/somatization factor, cognitive impairment factor, retardation factor and despair factor of HAMD improved in the treatment group after treatment (t>2.493, P<0.05), while only despair factor improved in the control group (t=2.862, P<0.05). The score of retardation factor was significantly different between two groups (t=2.354, P<0.05).Conclusion tDCS may work for the depression in PSD patients.