HealthMedical XpressDepression trial finds home brain stimulation with gaming is feasible, but questions remain
A clinical trial found people with major depression can safely use a brain stimulation device combined with a video game at home, though researchers say more work is needed to understand why it helps.
A new international clinical trial has found that people living with major depression can reliably use a noninvasive brain stimulation system at home. Published in JAMA Network Open, the study shows that a relatively complex remote treatment protocol can be delivered safely and feasibly across several countries, while also underscoring the need to better understand what drives symptom improvement in depression trials.
An international trial called DiSCoVeR tested whether home-based electrical brain stimulation paired with a specially designed video game could ease major depression symptoms.
109 adults across Jerusalem, Riga and Munich completed 30 sessions over six weeks, mostly at home, using a device delivering weak electrical currents through scalp electrodes.
The study found the approach is safe and feasible at home, but researchers say they still need to understand what is actually driving any symptom improvement.
If you or someone you know hasn't responded to standard depression treatments, ask a GP about emerging home-based brain stimulation trials as an alternative option.
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