Why the study?
Prefrontal tDCS modulates the autonomic nervous system, but effects are heterogeneous and may depend on individual anatomical differences affecting brain current penetration.
Does prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improve heart rate variability in human participants?
Population
37 participants
Comparison
1.5mA vs 3mA vs sham prefrontal tDCS
Design
Randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled within-subject trial
Key result
Prefrontal tDCS at 3.0mA significantly increased heart rate variability (RMSSD and HF-HRV) compared to sham and 1.5mA, demonstrating a dose-dependent effect.
Authors
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Individual anatomical differences may drive heterogeneous tDCS effects on HRV; leaves open need for personalized protocols in autonomic research.
RCT (n=37)
Double-blind
Randomized within-subject
Does prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improve heart rate variability in human participants?
Razza et al. (2023) reported an RCT. Prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) vs. Sham was evaluated on Heart rate variability (RMSSD and HF-HRV). Prefrontal tDCS at 3.0mA significantly increased heart rate variability (RMSSD and HF-HRV) compared to sham and 1.5mA, demonstrating a dose-dependent effect.
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