Characterization of responders to transcranial direct current stimulation in disorders of consciousness: A retrospective study of 8 clinical trials.
Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics April 18, 2025 Alice Barra, Rodrigo Huerta-Gutierrez, Jitka Annen et al. 3 citations
A subset of patients in a minimally conscious state show improved behavioral responsiveness after transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, while those who are unresponsive show limited benefit. Among 131 patients, 32% of minimally conscious patients responded to tDCS, compared to 10% of unresponsive patients. A regression model using baseline diagnosis, Coma Recovery Scale-Revised Index, age, sex, and time since injury correctly identified responders 77% of the time. Patients in a minimally conscious state with better cognitive profiles and longer time since injury appear to respond better to tDCS, suggesting they are better candidates for this treatment.