The Role of Telehealth to Assist In-Home tDCS: Opportunities, Promising Results and Acceptability.

Brenton Hordacre

doi:10.3390/brainsci8060102

Abstract

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has shown great promise as a neuromodulatory intervention capable of improving behavioral outcomes in a range of neurological and psychiatric populations. Evidence indicates that the neuromodulatory effect of stimulation may be cumulative, with greater improvements in behavior observed following multiple treatment sessions. However, the requirement to attend clinical or research departments for multiple treatment sessions may present a barrier for many people, particularly those with greater disability or living remotely. The portability of tDCS suggests that in-home stimulation may become an avenue for further investigation. However, safe and effective use of tDCS by a participant within their home requires a form of monitoring. This review discusses how telehealth may provide real-time visual monitoring to ensure correct tDCS set-up and adherence to stimulation protocols, manage technical issues and monitor adverse events. The combination of telehealth to supplement in-home tDCS use has potential to transform the way tDCS is delivered.

Highlights

Interventions capable of modulating cortical function have significant potential to be utilized in a therapeutic manner
The purpose of this review is to describe how the use of information and communication technologies may serve as a tool to facilitate and monitor in-home transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
Several studies have demonstrated the potential for telehealth approaches to facilitate in-home use of tDCS in various neurological and psychiatric patient populations

Summary

Introduction

Interventions capable of modulating cortical function have significant potential to be utilized in a therapeutic manner. This may be true for neurological and psychiatric conditions, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis and depression, which are underpinned by abnormalities in brain function [1,2,3,4,5]. In these populations, interventions which target the brain have shown potential to help improve behavioral or psychological outcomes. Brain stimulation may be a valuable tool to treat various neurological and psychiatric conditions.

Objectives

Results

Conclusion