The effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation in reducing the symptoms of gambling disorder: A case report.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to report on a patient case in which transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) was used to treat gambling disorder (GD).

METHODS

The research method used is a single case study, with the participant selected using purposive sampling. The patient is a 28-year-old married man who has been gambling for five years. Research tools included Gambling Symptoms Assessment scale, Impulsiveness Scale, Depression and Anxiety Inventory, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The intervention protocol included stimulation for 10 consecutive days, 20 min per day, with a current of 1.5 mA, and montage with the anodal electrode over F3 and the cathodal electrode over F4. Data were analyzed by fMRI and statistical parametric mapping (SPM) software.

RESULTS

Findings suggest that intervention with tDCS may be effective in reducing the symptoms of GD, depression, anxiety and impulsivity.

DISCUSSION: This is the first report of tDCS effectiveness and feasibility in a case report utilizing an fMRI outcome. While results of this case report are promising, more robust studies are required to establish therapeutic efficacy of tDCS in GD.