Aspects Of The TDCS Therapy

By Tammie Caldwell


The transcranial direct current stimulation refers to a process that involves the simulation of a brain area using some constant but low current. This form of neuron-stimulation involves the delivery of this current to the brain area using some electrodes that are carefully placed on a scalp. The procedure was initially developed to help treat patients diagnosed with brain injuries like strokes. As studies and research about the same have advanced, tDCS has been known to help increase cognitive person with relation to a variety of tasks.

The therapy can be used to target different areas of the brain and the result is the excitement which stimulates different activities. These include enhancing a patient problem solving techniques, attention span, mathematical abilities, language and even coordination. Over the years, the studies carried out have sought to identify the benefits and demerits that identify with the process. The practice is now commonly utilized considering that with the observation of right safety protocols; it is safe for human use.

The stimulation is done by passing some constant and direct current flow to the region of interest on the head using some electrodes. These electrodes are placed carefully on the scalp. They must be carefully placed at the designated areas to induce intracerebral current flow. If placed at the wrong areas, the process could result into some faults.

The current flow used can act in two ways. It can flow through to increase the excitement of the neurons in the areas being targeted. It can also be used to reduce this excitement. These changes cause alteration in the brain functions which then influence some of its activities.

The process by which to successfully undertake this is relatively simple provided you have the right equipment and knowledge on how to carry it out. It needs only two electrodes which are the positively charged anode and the negatively charged cathode. Current is known to flow from the positive anode and then end up at the negatively charged cathode for a circuit to be complete. The current therefore flows through the conducting tissues which in this case are the brain neurons and creates an excitement in them as it passes.

To start the procedure, you need to set up the equipment correctly. The skin where the electrodes are supposed to be placed is prepared properly in order for the electrodes to have a strong connection to the scalp. The pads come in different sizes. The smaller their size, the more they are able to focus to the current on the specified target to give a more desired result.

The electrode to complete a circuit can be placed on the neck, shoulder or opposite side of the first electrode. Current is then let to flow through and can be increased gradually. After the process is started, current will flow for the set time and then turn off automatically.

Recent studies have shown that the effectiveness of this stimulation can be improved by the use of multiple electrodes. These gel electrodes are placed at more specific points unlike for the sponge ones. They in turn help to achieve better results.




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