SynthesisFrontiers in neurology
The effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on global cognitive function, visuospatial function, and executive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: a meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Frontiers in neurology. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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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.
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
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Abstract
Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has shown promise in improving the cognitive function of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, data from clinical trials or meta-analyses involving tDCS have produced conflicting results. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of tDCS in improving global cognition and specific cognitive domains in patients with AD and MCI. Methods: The review and analysis were conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Four electronic databases-PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library and Embase-were searched up to 20 August 2025. Cochrane's risk of bias assessment tools were used to evaluate the risk of bias and the methodological quality of the included studies. Statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.3. Results: This meta-analysis of 13 studies ( Conclusion: tDCS significantly improves global cognition in patients with AD and MCI. Preliminary evidence suggests possible benefits for visuospatial ability, but findings for attention and executive function remain inconclusive. Future studies should employ multi-test, domain-specific neuropsychological batteries in adequately powered trials.
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