Long-term use of tDCS-clinical and ethical considerations

Article Article scientifique Article Long-term use of tDCS-clinical and ethical considerations eng 2026-04-24 2026 author Malbois Elodie 0000-0001-6534-9893 Institute for Ethics, History, and the Humanities, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 850448 iEH2 (COETH) author Hurst Samia 0000-0002-1980-5226 Institute for Ethics, History, and the Humanities, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 84281 iEH2 (COETH) author Rodogno Raffaele Philosophy Department, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. 85594 author Guggisberg Adrian 0000-0001-7178-7793 Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neurorehabilitation, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 707883 Département des neurosciences cliniques (OTONO) 1792050 10.3389/fnhum.2026.1792050 42110716 1662-5161 PMC13153068 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2026.1792050/full Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that delivers weak electrical currents to targeted brain regions in order to modulate neural activity and potentially enhance cognitive and motor functions. Clinical studies have reported benefits for conditions such as depression, stroke, and Parkinson's disease, typically with only minor and transient side effects. While short-term safety is relatively well established, the long-term effects require more systematic data and therefore require caution. At the same time, tDCS is increasingly being used at home without supervision for extended periods, as devices can be purchased online without prescription or even self-assembled. This situation highlights the need for appropriate safeguards to protect unsupervised users and to ensure that research into supervised long-term use is conducted under ethically acceptable conditions. In this paper, we specifically assess the risks that may arise from prolonged and unsupervised application of tDCS and propose measures that should be implemented by researchers, regulators, and commercial stakeholders involved in the distribution of tDCS devices. Citizen science Materiovigilance Research ethics Safety Transcranial brain stimulation Dewey 616.8 Dewey 174.957 Swiss National Science Foundation NCCR Evolving Language (phase I) 180888 CH 61 Département des neurosciences cliniques 226 69 Institut Ethique Histoire Humanités 22A6 false 567 Neuroréhabilitation et neuromodulation 910 453 Ethique biomédicale 783 Frontiers in human neuroscience 20 a2c1bd3e-71ec-4261-987c-0841786a38a5 Article (Published version) Public Article_scientifique_from_unpaywall.pdf 184160 application/pdf CC BY-4.0 532e4b1beccfc0f12ae0b3f723963b752ccc5f0a8e47d9d20a0d4751ac2f8139 openAccess Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département des neurosciences cliniques Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de santé et médecine communautaires / Institut Ethique Histoire Humanités

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Long-term use of tDCS-clinical and ethical considerations	Frontiers in human neuroscience	2026	7	30
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