Evaluation of tolerability and safety of transcranial electrical stimulation with gel particle electrodes in healthy subjects

Chuangchuang Chang; Yi Piao; Mingsong Zhang; Yan Liu; Minglei Du; Miao Yang; Tianyuan Mei; Chengkai Wu; Yan Wang; Xueli Chen; Ginger Qinghong Zeng; Xiaochu Zhang; Xiaochu Zhang; Xiaochu Zhang; Xiaochu Zhang

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1441533

Frontiers in Psychiatry (Nov 2024)

Evaluation of tolerability and safety of transcranial electrical stimulation with gel particle electrodes in healthy subjects

Chuangchuang Chang,
Yi Piao,
Mingsong Zhang,
Yan Liu,
Minglei Du,
Miao Yang,
Tianyuan Mei,
Chengkai Wu,
Yan Wang,
Xueli Chen,
Ginger Qinghong Zeng,
Xiaochu Zhang,
Xiaochu Zhang,
Xiaochu Zhang,
Xiaochu Zhang

Affiliations

Chuangchuang Chang: Application Technology Center of Physical Therapy to Brain Disorders, Institute of Advanced Technology, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China
Yi Piao: Application Technology Center of Physical Therapy to Brain Disorders, Institute of Advanced Technology, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China
Mingsong Zhang: Application Technology Center of Physical Therapy to Brain Disorders, Institute of Advanced Technology, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China
Yan Liu: Application Technology Center of Physical Therapy to Brain Disorders, Institute of Advanced Technology, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China
Minglei Du: School of Biomedical Engineering, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
Miao Yang: Application Technology Center of Physical Therapy to Brain Disorders, Institute of Advanced Technology, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China
Tianyuan Mei: Application Technology Center of Physical Therapy to Brain Disorders, Institute of Advanced Technology, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China
Chengkai Wu: Application Technology Center of Physical Therapy to Brain Disorders, Institute of Advanced Technology, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China
Yan Wang: Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China
Xueli Chen: Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Science, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science & Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, China
Ginger Qinghong Zeng: Application Technology Center of Physical Therapy to Brain Disorders, Institute of Advanced Technology, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China
Xiaochu Zhang: Application Technology Center of Physical Therapy to Brain Disorders, Institute of Advanced Technology, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China
Xiaochu Zhang: Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence for Information Behavior (Ministry of Education and Shanghai), School of Business and Management, Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai, China
Xiaochu Zhang: Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive Science Center, Hefei, China
Xiaochu Zhang: Business School, Guizhou Education University, Guiyang, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1441533
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 15

Abstract

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BackgroundWith the advancement of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) technology, an increasing number of stimulation devices and treatment protocols have emerged. However, safety and tolerability remain critical concerns before new strategies can be implemented. Particularly, the use of gel particle electrodes brings new challenges to the safety and tolerability of tES, which hinders its widespread adoption and further research.ObjectiveOur study utilized a specially designed and validated transcranial electrical stimulation stimulator along with preconfigured gel particle electrodes placed at F3 and F4 in the prefrontal lobes. We aimed to assess the tolerance and safety of these electrodes in healthy subjects by administering different durations and types of tES.MethodsEach participant underwent ten sessions of either transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) or transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), with session durations varying. In the experiment, we collected various measurement data from participants, including self-report questionnaire data and behavioral keystroke data. Tolerability was evaluated through adverse events (AEs), the relationship of adverse events with tES (AEs-rela), the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and the Visual Analog Mood Scale-Revised (VAMS-R). Safety was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Skin Sensation Rating (SSR), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Stroop task. These data were analyzed to determine the impact of different parameters on the tolerability and safety of tES.ResultsThere were no significant changes in the results of the MoCA and SAS scales before and after the experiment. However, significant differences were observed in VAS, SSR, AEs, and AEs-rela between tDCS and tACS. Additionally, fatigue increased, and energy levels decreased on VAMS-R with longer durations. No significant differences were found in other neuropsychological tests.ConclusionOur study revealed significant differences in tolerability and safety between tDCS and tACS, underscoring the importance of considering the stimulation type when evaluating these factors. Although tolerance and safety did not vary significantly across different stimulation durations in this study, future research may benefit from exploring shorter durations to further assess tolerability and safety efficiently.

Published in Frontiers in Psychiatry

ISSN: 1664-0640 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry: Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system: Psychiatry
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry

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