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The beneficial effect on cognition of noninvasive brain stimulation intervention in patients with dementia: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Tseng PT, Chen YW, Zeng BY, Zeng BS, Hung CM, Sun CK, Cheng YS, Stubbs B et al.. Alzheimer's research & therapy, 2023-01-25
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Background Dementia [i.e., Alzheimer disease (AD)], the most common neurodegenerative disease, causes profound negative impacts on executive function and quality of life. Available pharmacological treatments often fail to achieve satisfactory outcomes. Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques, which focally modify cortical function and enhance synaptic long-term potentiation, are potentially beneficial for the cognition in patients with AD. The aim of the current network meta-analysis (NMA) was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of different NIBS interventions in patients with AD through NMA. Methods Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining NIBS interventions in patients with AD had been included. All NMA procedures were performed under the frequentist model. The primary and secondary outcomes were changes in cognitive function and quality of life, respectively. Results Nineteen RCTs (639 participants) were included. The mean treatment and follow-up durations were 5.7 and 10.5 weeks, respectively. The combination of cathodal tDCS of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and anodal tDCS over the right supraorbital region (c-tDCS-F3 + a-tDCS-Fp2) was associated with a significant beneficial effect on cognition compared with sham controls (standardized mean difference=2.43, 95% confidence interval=0.61-4.26, n=12 and 11). It was also associated with the greatest beneficial effect on cognition among all the investigated NIBS approaches. All the methods were well tolerated with regard to the safety profile, as reflected in the rates of adverse events or local discomfort, as well as acceptability, as indicated by dropout rate. Conclusions The present findings provide evidence of the benefits of NIBS, especially tDCS, for beneficial effect on cognition in patients with AD. However, because of few studies included, this effect was not replicated yet in the other studies. Therefore, future larger-scale and longer follow-up duration RCTs should be warranted. Trial registration PROSPERO CRD42020209516. The current study had been approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center (TSGHIRB No. B-109-29).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Tseng, P. T., Chen, Y. W., Zeng, B. Y., Zeng, B. S., Hung, C. M., Sun, C. K., et al. (2023). The beneficial effect on cognition of noninvasive brain stimulation intervention in patients with dementia: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Alzheimer's research & therapy. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-023-01164-2
Vancouver
Tseng PT, Chen YW, Zeng BY, Zeng BS, Hung CM, Sun CK, et al. The beneficial effect on cognition of noninvasive brain stimulation intervention in patients with dementia: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Alzheimer's research & therapy. 2023. doi:10.1186/s13195-023-01164-2. PMID: 36698219.
BibTeX
@article{tseng2023-36698219,
author = {Tseng, P. T. and Chen, Y. W. and Zeng, B. Y. and Zeng, B. S. and Hung, C. M. and Sun, C. K. and Cheng, Y. S. and Stubbs, B. and others},
title = {{The beneficial effect on cognition of noninvasive brain stimulation intervention in patients with dementia: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials}},
journal = {Alzheimer's research \& therapy},
year = {2023},
doi = {10.1186/s13195-023-01164-2},
pmid = {36698219},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-023-01164-2}
}
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Key findings
- Results Nineteen RCTs (639 participants) were included.
- The combination of cathodal tDCS of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and anodal tDCS over the right supraorbital region (c-tDCS-F3 + a-tDCS-Fp2) was associated with a significant beneficial effect on cognition compared with sham controls (standardized mean difference=2.43, 95% confidence interval=0.61-4.26, n=12 and 11).
- It was also associated with the greatest beneficial effect on cognition among all the investigated NIBS approaches.
Why it matters
This network meta-analysis of 19 trials found that a specific combination of noninvasive brain stimulation was associated with a beneficial effect on cognition compared with sham in people with Alzheimer disease. It is about a symptomatic cognitive intervention, not a cure or prevention.
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Study details
- Study designmeta-analysis
- Participants12
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 63/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a meta-analysis pooling many studies. Scored zero for effect reported because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Alzheimer's research & therapy) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Alzheimer s Research & Therapy: journal h-index 146 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A meta-analysis pooling many studies |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 3 / 5 | 2023 — within 6 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 1 / 4 | 12 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomized / blinded | 0 / 2 | A review of other studies — randomization is not credited here |
| Times cited | 3 / 7 | Cited 33 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 6.6 citations a year over 5 year(s) since 2023 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 1.4× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 1 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 30 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Cheng‐Ta Li: h-index 57 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | King's College London: institution h-index 1,348 (OpenAlex) |
| Multicenter collaboration | 3 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 27 institution(s) in 4 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 36698219) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 63 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1186/s13195-023-01164-2
- PubMed: 36698219
- Original source →
- Free full text: Alzheimer s Research & Therapy →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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