Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) for Major Depressive Disorder

Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) is a noninvasive neuromodulation technique that has potential for treating several psychiatric diseases. This method consists of delivering bilateral low-intensity electrical current, via a pair of electrodes, to different anatomical targets around the head. This kind of stimulation is believed to interact with brain oscillation patterns, resulting in changes in connectivity of brain networks. CES has been observed to be a safe intervention with no serious side effects reported in randomized controlled trials. Unequivocal efficiency of CES has not been demonstrated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD); however, some data suggest that CES could be an effective therapy for MDD, either as a standalone or in combination with pharmacological treatment and psychological therapy. CES devices are portable devices that do not required trained personnel to administer the treatment and therefore allow the patients to self-administer the treatment at home. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2022;52(11):461–465.]