Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32697687›Full record

SynthesisJournal of affective disorders2020

A systematic review of transcranial direct current stimulation effects in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Camila Cosmo, Melany DiBiasi, Vania Lima, Luanda Collange Grecco, Mauro Muszkat, Noah S Philip, Eduardo Pondé de Sena

Open access · greenAbstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of affective disorders, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
9citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
1.7field-weighted citation impact, top 15% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

9 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 29 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Research progress of tDCS in the treatment of ADHD.Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996) · 2025
    Review
  3. tDCS and neurofeedback in ADHD treatment.Frontiers in systems neuroscience · 2025
    Review
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Review
  8. Review
  9. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 5 institutions in 2 countries.

Camila CosmoDepartment of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Butler Campus, Box G-BH, 345 Blackstone Boulevard, Providence, RI 02906, USA; Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA. Electronic address: camilacosmo@brown.edu.
Melany DiBiasiNeuromodulation Center, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Vania LimaDepartment of Hearing and Speech Pathology, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Luanda Collange GreccoPediatric Neurosurgical Center - Rehabilitation (CENEPE), Brazil.
Mauro MuszkatPsychobiology Department, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Noah S PhilipDepartment of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Butler Campus, Box G-BH, 345 Blackstone Boulevard, Providence, RI 02906, USA; Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA.
Eduardo Pondé de SenaPostgraduate Program in Interactive Process of Organs and Systems, Federal University of Bahia, Brazil.
Universidade Federal de São Paulo · BRBrown University · USProvidence VA Medical Center · USSpaulding Rehabilitation Hospital · USUniversidade Federal da Bahia · BR

Funding

Promoting Research Training During Psychiatry ResidencyR25MH101076 · NIMH · BROWN UNIVERSITY · PI AUDREY TYRKA · 2013 to 2026
$2.8M
NIMH NIH HHS R25 MH101076
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) stands out as the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood, with global prevalence ranging from 3.4% to 7•2%. Its cognitive symptoms result from the combination of complex etiological processes encompassing genetic and environmental components. Available therapeutic approaches are associated with significant challenges such as modest efficacy or side effects. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising tool for enhancing cognitive performance in neuropsychiatric disorders. Trials investigating its applicability in ADHD have showed propitious, however, still preliminary findings.

methodsWe performed a systemic review by searching on Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and Embase using the descriptors: "attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder" or "ADHD"; and "transcranial direct current stimulation" or "tDCS"; following PRISMA guidelines.

resultsA total of 383 articles were identified. After removing duplicates, 45 studies were assessed for eligibility, and after careful review, 11 manuscripts applying tDCS in ADHD were included. Significant improvements in attention, inhibitory control and working memory were reported, in addition to increased brain connectivity following use of active tDCS. LIMITATIONS: The main limitation was the small number of trials investigating use of tDCS in ADHD. Study methods and outcome measures were quite variable, and generally did not include long-term follow-up.

conclusionsAlthough the extent literature indicates promising findings, the available data remains highly preliminary. Further trials evaluating the efficacy of tDCS for ADHD, with longer follow-up, are necessary. These studies will be needed to determine the optimal protocol for clinical efficacy.

Indexed as

Attention Deficit Disorder with HyperactivityTranscranial Direct Current StimulationAttentionBrainChildHumansMemory, Short-TermAttentionAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderInhibitory controlPrefrontal cortexTranscranial direct current stimulationWorking memory

Identifiers

PMID32697687
PMCPMC8128973
OpenAlexW3043783201

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.