Reduce Depression and Anxiety in Methadone Users with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

 Research shows that transcranial direct current stimulation is effective in reducing depression and anxiety.

 This research is aimed at reducing depression and anxiety in methadone users with transcranial direct current stimulation.

 This study is a randomized clinical trial with a pretest-posttest. The sample of this study was 60 methadone users who had severe depression and anxiety. Participants were allocated to two experimental (n = 30) and control groups (n = 30). The two regions, F3 (cathode) and F4 (anode) were stimulated with a current of 2 mA for 20 minutes in 10 sessions. Participants were assessed before and after stimulation with Beck’s depression inventory and Berger’s anxiety test.

 Data analysis showed that tDCS reduced the symptoms of depression and anxiety in methadone users (P < 0.01).

 It seems that the method of tDCS can reduce the severity of symptoms of depression and anxiety. Therefore, it can be claimed that this intervention can be considered by experts as a complementary intervention along with other psychological and pharmacological treatments.