SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE FOR THE TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION USING NON-INVASIVE TRANSCRANIAL NEUROMODULATION TECHNIQUES

The present study aimed to analyze scientific evidence on the efficacy of noninvasive transcranial neuromodulation in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). This is a systematic review of the literature with a qualitative approach, based on an integrative review of articles published between 2010 and 2025. The search was carried out in the PubMed, SciELO and VHL databases, with a strategy guided by the PICo model. We included 23 studies that evaluated the application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS), alone or in combination with other therapies. The results indicate significant improvement in depressive, cognitive and affective symptoms, as well as good tolerance and feasibility of clinical and home application. It is concluded that tDCS presents greater therapeutic consolidation, while tACS emerges as a promising complementary technique, especially when personalized and associated with cognitive interventions. Both contribute to the advancement of evidence-based clinical practices.

Key words:  Depression. tDCS. tACS.