Supporting Organisation:
About Naveen's fellowship project
Title: Asking people with lived experience of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) what they think about home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a potential novel treatment for OCD (APT-OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disabling mental health condition and can have a major impact on daily life. Research suggests that around 40% of individuals living with OCD show inadequate response to first-line treatments (pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy), leaving a substantial unmet clinical need.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) uses a weak electrical current applied through electrodes on the scalp to influence brain activity. It has shown promise in treating depression and is offered in some centres. Early research suggests potential benefits for OCD, but its effectiveness remains uncertain. Whether there is similar scope for its use in OCD remains to be explored.
Home-based delivery could reduce travel and make treatment more convenient, although little is known about how people with OCD and their families or carers view this approach.
The APT-OCD study will use focus group discussions to explore their views on model of home-based delivery of tDCS. It will examine perceived benefits and risks, safety concerns, side effects, and practical or psychological factors that may influence its use.
The findings will help healthcare organisations understand what support and safeguards service users and carers consider important. They will inform future clinical trials and potential service development, helping ensure that any future tDCS provision reflects their needs and preferences.
Contact Naveen: naveen.pai@nhs.net