Transcranial electric stimulation, a drug-free technique passing weak current through scalp electrodes, is studied for mood, memory and sleep. For low mood, evidence leans positive but mixed; a home headset is approved for depression. Pain, migraine, sleep and stroke-recovery signals rest on smaller or lower-certainty studies; results for healthy older adults are thin. Main risks: skin redness, rare burns and, when treating depression, an uncommon swing into overly elevated mood. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| PHQ-9 depression score | No established target; track change from own baseline | Tracks mood benefit |
| Mania screen (YMRS or a self-rated equivalent) | No established target; track any rise from own baseline | Safety check: elevated mood stops use |
| MoCA cognitive score | No established target; track change from own baseline | Tracks cognitive goals |
| Sleep score (PSQI or ISI) | No established target; track change from own baseline | Tracks sleep goals |
| Pain intensity (0–10 rating) | No established target; track change from own baseline | Tracks pain goals |
| Electrode-site skin inspection | No established target; track redness against pre-session skin | Safety check: blister or broken skin pauses use |
Cadence: Skin check at every session; mood and mania screens weekly for the first 4 weeks, then every 4 weeks during the course; goal-specific questionnaires at weeks 4 and 10; repeat cognitive testing at the end of the course and 3–6 months later