Non-invasive Brain Stimulation in the Management of Suicidal Behavior

The number of evidence supporting the use of various forms of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques for suicidal behavior is growing. This review updates the role of NIBS techniques in managing suicidal behavior based on recent evidence. Evidence showed that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) showed positive outcomes in reducing suicidal behavior. There is lack of rigorous clinical trial evidence on the usage of cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in decreasing the risk of suicide. It has been demonstrated that the rTMS is an effective alternative or supplemental treatment option for suicidal behavior. Suicide-specific CES and tDCS clinical trials are greatly needed. Future research is required to overcome methodological limitations and assess the long-term effectiveness of NIBS alone and in conjunction with medication and/or psychotherapy due to the inadequate quality and quantity of the included studies.