A systematic review and meta-analysis for the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in OCD treatment: A non-pharmacological approach to clinical interventions

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a prevalent mental condition characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions), significantly disrupting daily functioning and social interactions. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) presents a promising non-invasive treatment modality aimed at alleviating symptoms. However, the evidence regarding its effectiveness remains inconclusive. This study seeks to address this gap by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials, offering improved guidance for clinical intervention. A comprehensive search strategy was implemented across multiple databases, including PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. This search focused strictly on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 147 patients. These trials evaluated the efficacy of tDCS in OCD patients. Subsequent data extraction, risk of bias assessment, and statistical analysis using Review Manager software revealed the potential efficacy of tDCS in reducing OCD symptoms. The meta-analysis not only fails to demonstrate significant superiority of active tDCS over sham tDCS but also suggests that sham tDCS may be more effective than active tDCS in reducing OCD symptoms. This finding diminishes the promise of tDCS as an effective treatment for OCD. Larger trials are warranted to further elucidate these findings.