Estimulação transcraniana por corrente contínua no tratamento dos sintomas negativos e cognitivos da esquizofrenia: revisão sistemática e metanálise

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a neuropsychiatric disorder that involves a complex set of symptoms accompanied by dysexecutive behaviors, related to dysfunction of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia are associated with poor functional outcomes and a low quality of life in various aspects of their lives. Objective: This meta-analysis sought to review the data presented in the scientific literature regarding Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in the treatment of weird and cognitive symptoms characteristic of schizophrenia. Methods: The search model was based on the PICOT strategy, being carried out in the databases MEDLINE/PubMed, Central Registry of Controlled Trials (Cochrane Library), EMBASE and SCOPUS until September 6th, 2021. The analysis was developed using o Revision Manager Version 5.4. The assessment of the effects of stimulation was assessed using the symptoms subscale of the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) of each study. Results: 19 studies that addressed negative symptoms and 12 studies that addressed cognitive changes were included, totaling 834 subjects with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Conclusion: Despite the results identifying improvements in the conditions, the heterogeneity among the study methods influenced the overall outcome of this meta-analysis. However, its therapeutic benefit for negative and cognitive symptoms requires a high stimulation frequency (at least times a day) with an intensity of 2 mA.