The Effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Brain Electrical Activity and Amygdala Activity and Symptoms of Patients with Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder (OCD): AStudy Based on QEEG and LORETA

Ensafi, Elnaz (2019) The Effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Brain Electrical Activity and Amygdala Activity and Symptoms of Patients with Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder (OCD): AStudy Based on QEEG and LORETA. Doctoral thesis, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili.

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Abstract

Research aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of transcranial direct currtnt stimulation (tDCS) therapy on brain electrical activity and amygdala activity and symptoms of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Research method: The present study was an experimental study with pre-test and post-test design with control group. The statistical population of this study included all those with obsessive-compulsive disorder who referred to Tabriz neuroscience center in 2017-2019. The sample group consisted of 30 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (15 experimental group and 15 control group) that selected propusively. Subjects in both groups were evaluated using Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale, Hamilton anxiety rating scale and beck depression inventory questionnaires in five weeks interval (at first and tenth sessions). In addition, subjects were given QEEG to assess brain electrical activity and amygdala activity (before and after treatment). The experimental group received for cathodal-tDCS for 10 sessions (2 sessions per week, 20 minutes each session with 2 mA intensity) and the placebo subjects received the sham-tDCS. Univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used for statistical analysis. Findings: The results of data analysis showed that tDCS significantly increased the beta absolute power in FP2, F3, O1 and O2 and significantly decreased the absolute power of theta wave in FP1 and F7 in OCD patients. There was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups in amygdala activity. Moreover, the use of cathodal transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in orbitofrontal cortex and anodal transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in O2 region resulted in significant reduction of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, anxiety and depression in OCD patients. Conclusion: tDCS is a useful technique to improve the performance of OCD patients by normalizing their brain waves, especially in the orbitofrontal region.

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