Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39905569›Full record

SynthesisAlzheimer's research & therapy2025

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of transcranial direct current stimulation on cognitive function in older adults with cognitive impairments: the influence of dosage parameters.

Thatchaya Prathum, Thanwarat Chantanachai, Oranich Vimolratana, Chotica Laksanaphuk, Irin Apiworajirawit, Benchaporn Aneksan, Kanthika Latthirun, Cheng-Ta Yang, Wanalee Klomjai

2 registry-linked trialsAbstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Alzheimer's research & therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 2 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 15 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
15citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
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.

NCT07576517 phase4not yet recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2026, after this paper: background citation

Perioperative Use of Dexmedetomidine-esketamine Combination and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Prevention of Neurocognitive Complications in Older Patients After Non-cardiac Surgery: a 2×2 Factorial Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorPeking University First HospitalRan2026 to 2030Enrolled1,160ConditionsOlder Patients, Surgery, Dexmedetomidine, EsketamineArmsDex-Esk, Placebo, Active tDCS, Sham tDCS
NCT07576543 phase4not yet recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2026, after this paper: background citation

Long-term Follow-up of Perioperative Dexmedetomidine-esketamine Combination and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Prevention of Neurocognitive Complications in Older Patients After Non-cardiac Surgery

TypeinterventionalSponsorPeking University First HospitalRan2026 to 2031Enrolled1,160ConditionsOlder Patients, Surgery, Dexmedetomidine, EsketamineArmsDex-Esk, Placebo, Active tDCS, Sham tDCS
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

15 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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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

9 authors.

Thatchaya PrathumFaculty of Physical Therapy, Neuro Electrical Stimulation Laboratory (NeuE), Mahidol University, 999 Phuttamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand.
Thanwarat ChantanachaiFaculty of Physical Therapy, Neuro Electrical Stimulation Laboratory (NeuE), Mahidol University, 999 Phuttamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand.
Oranich VimolratanaSchool of Integrative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand.
Chotica LaksanaphukFaculty of Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, Rangsit University, Pathum Thani, Thailand.
Irin ApiworajirawitFaculty of Physical Therapy, Neuro Electrical Stimulation Laboratory (NeuE), Mahidol University, 999 Phuttamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand.
Benchaporn AneksanFaculty of Physical Therapy, Neuro Electrical Stimulation Laboratory (NeuE), Mahidol University, 999 Phuttamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand.
Kanthika LatthirunDepartment of Psychology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Cheng-Ta YangDepartment of Psychology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Wanalee KlomjaiFaculty of Physical Therapy, Neuro Electrical Stimulation Laboratory (NeuE), Mahidol University, 999 Phuttamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand. wanalee.klo@mahidol.edu.ORCID 0000-0001-6294-0418

Funding

NCKU-Southeast and South Asia and Taiwan Universities grant D112-B5561
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionNumerous studies have demonstrated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cognitive function in the older people. This study further explores the impact of tDCS and its dosage parameters on cognitive enhancement in older people with cognitive impairments.

methodsRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) published through November 2023 were retrieved from databases including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, EBSCO, and the Cochrane Library. Participants were older adults with cognitive impairments, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. AD was diagnosed based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), or the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke - Alzheimer' Disease and Related Disorders Association (NINCDS-ADRDA) criteria. Dementia was diagnosed using the DSM-V or NINCDS-ADRDA criteria, while MCI was diagnosed using the DSM-V, the Petersen criteria, or assessments such as Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). Standardized mean difference (SMD) values were analyzed to assess the effects.

resultsA total of 19 RCTs were included. tDCS significantly improved the Mini-Mental State Examination score both immediately post-intervention (SMD = 0.51, p = 0.005) and at follow-up (SMD = 2.29, p = 0.0003). Significant effects were observed when tDCS was used alone (SMD = 0.39, p = 0.04), at current densities

conclusiontDCS demonstrated efficacy in enhancing global cognition in older people with cognitive impairments, providing insight into optimal parameters for clinical application. However, no improvement were observed in memory or executive function.

Indexed as

CognitionCognitive DysfunctionTranscranial Direct Current StimulationAgedHumansRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicAlzheimer’s diseaseCognitive functionCognitive impairmentDementiaMild cognitive impairmentOlder peopletDCS

Identifiers

PMID39905569
PMCPMC11796231

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

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.