The effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on global cognitive function, visuospatial function, and executive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease: a meta-analysis - Summary - MDSpire
Advertisement
The effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on global cognitive function, visuospatial function, and executive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease: a meta-analysis
To evaluate the efficacy of tDCS in improving global cognition and specific cognitive domains in patients with AD and MCI.
Key Findings:
tDCS significantly improved global cognition (SMD = 0.49) as measured by MMSE and MoCA.
Visuospatial ability showed a significant but preliminary effect (SMD = -0.75) from 4 studies.
Attention showed a small effect (SMD = -0.33) from 2 studies.
Executive function showed no significant effect (SMD = 0.09) from 4 studies.
Interpretation:
tDCS significantly improves global cognition in patients with AD and MCI, with preliminary evidence for visuospatial ability, but findings for attention and executive function remain inconclusive.
Limitations:
Evidence for cognitive domains other than global cognition is limited.
Future studies should use multi-test, domain-specific neuropsychological batteries.
Larger sample sizes are needed in future studies.
Conclusion:
tDCS shows promise in enhancing cognitive function in AD and MCI, but further research is needed.
