title: Continuation transcranial direct current stimulation for the prevention of relapse in major depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is gaining attention as an effective new treatment for major depression. Little is known, however, of the duration of antidepressant effects following acute treatment. In this study, we describe the use of continuation tDCS treatment for up to 6 months following clinical response to an acute treatment course.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six participants pooled from two different studies involving different tDCS protocols received continuation tDCS treatment on a weekly basis for 3 months and then once per fortnight for the final 3 months. Mood ratings were completed at 3 and 6 months. Analyses examined clinical predictors of relapse during continuation tDCS treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cumulative probability of surviving without relapse was 83.7% at 3 months and 51.1% at 6 months. Medication resistance was found to be a predictor of relapse during continuation tDCS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This was an open label prospective study with no control group. Two different forms of tDCS were used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Similar to other antidepressant treatments, continuation tDCS appears to be a useful strategy to prevent relapse following clinical response. These preliminary data suggest that the majority of patients maintained antidepressant benefit with a continuation schedule of at least weekly treatment. Future controlled studies are required to confirm these findings.
authors.affiliation: Black Dog Institute, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Donel M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alonzo
authors.forename: Kerrie-Anne
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Player
authors.forename: Philip B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Perminder
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sachdev
authors.forename: Colleen K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Loo
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents