Home
Scholarly Works
Neurocognitive effects of transcranial direct...
Journal article

Neurocognitive effects of transcranial direct current stimulation in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a systematic review

Abstract

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been used with increasing frequency as a therapeutic tool to alleviate clinical symptoms of obsessive compulsive-disorder (OCD). However, little is known about the effects of tDCS on neurocognitive functioning among OCD patients. The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature examining the effects of tDCS on specific neurocognitive functions in OCD. A literature search following PRISMA guidelines was conducted on the following databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Web of Science. The search yielded 4 results: one randomized, sham-controlled study (20 patients), one randomized, controlled, partial crossover trial (12 patients), one open-label study (5 patients), and one randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, parallel-group trial (37 patients). A total of 51 patients received active tDCS with some diversity in electrode montages targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the pre-supplementary motor area, or the orbitofrontal cortex. tDCS was associated with improved decision-making in study 1, enhanced attentional monitoring and response inhibition in study 2, improved executive and inhibitory control in study 3, and reduced attentional bias and improved response inhibition and working memory in study 4. Limitations of this review include its small sample, the absence of a sham group in half of the studies, and the heterogeneity in tDCS parameters. These preliminary results highlight the need for future testing in randomized, sham-controlled trials to examine whether and how tDCS induces relevant cognitive benefits in OCD.

Authors

Spiroiu FI; Minuzzi L; Duarte D; McCabe RE; Soreni N

Journal

International Journal of Neuroscience, Vol. 135, No. 12, pp. 1350–1363

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Publication Date

December 2, 2025

DOI

10.1080/00207454.2024.2371303

ISSN

0020-7454

Contact the Experts team