“Flow” Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Depression Treatment in a Primary Healthcare General Practice—Depression, Functioning, and Health-Related Quality of Life Outcomes

Chris Griffiths, Ksenija Maravic da Silva, Harmony Jiang, David Smart, Azhar Zafar

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Abstract

Background: Flow FL-100 is a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) device self-administered by a patient at home in combination with a software application that delivers wellbeing behaviour therapy training. tDCS has evidence of effectiveness in treating symptoms of depression. This post marketing study evaluated the effect of Flow on depression, functioning, and health-related quality of life for primary care general practice patients with depression symptoms.
Methods: Open-label patient cohort design with no control group. Thirty-one adult patients completed six weeks of Flow treatment. Average age 45.6 years (SD = 13.72) range from 20-75 years; 24 (77.4%) females and six males (23.6%). Pre- and post-intervention assessment with participant self-report measures: Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), and European Quality of Life Five Dimension (EQ-5D-5L).
Results: PHQ-9 reliable improvement and remission rates were 58.1% and 32.3%. There was a significant improvement in PHQ-9 and WSAS with large effect sizes. EQ-5D-5L results showed significant improvements in three dimensions and the health index score with medium effect sizes.
Conclusion: Flow tDCS can be delivered through a primary healthcare general practice service and patients use it as prescribed and complete treatment course. tDCS has evidence as an effective depression treatment, the widespread availability of tDCS in primary care general practice should be considered.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)25-39
Number of pages15
JournalOpen Journal of Depression
Volume13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 May 2024

Bibliographical note

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Funder

Funding was provided by Flow Neuroscience AB, but study design, analysis, interpretation, and reporting were independent of Flow Neuroscience AB’s involvement.

Keywords

  • Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES)
  • Depression
  • Quality of Life
  • Functioning
  • Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

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