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HD-tDCS over the DMPFC reduces PSQI scores and improves sleep onset latency and sleep efficiency in chronic insomnia patients

A 10-day course of active high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) targeting the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex significantly decreased Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores compared to sham stimulation in chronic insomnia patients. Exploratory polysomnography measures also showed improvements in sleep onset latency and sleep efficiency after active treatment.

Last updated: Aug 26, 2026•1 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score42/100
Human RCT★★☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Effects of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation for the treatment of chronic insomnia: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.

observational

Li J, Li A, Jiao J, Hu K, Jiang Y, Hu X, Wang K, Chen X, Xie C · Scientific reports (2025)

Participants: N/A
Duration: 10 days
Intervention: 10 days of active anode HD-tDCS over the DMPFC (anode at Fz, cathodes at FPz, F3, Cz, F4)
Outcome: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, sleep onset latency (SOL), sleep efficiency (SE), sleep stage ratio
Effect Size: N/A
Population: 55 patients with chronic insomnia

Result:

PubMed: 40695876DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-09304-4

Mechanism Graph

Anode stimulation applied over DMPFC (Fz) modulates prefrontal cortical excitability
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Modulation of DMPFC may enhance sleep-promoting neural circuits
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Reduction in hyperarousal associated with chronic insomnia
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Result: Improved subjective sleep quality and objective sleep onset/efficiency

Limitations

  • ⚠Small sample size (n=55) limits generalizability
  • ⚠Exploratory nature of PSG findings requires replication
  • ⚠No long-term follow-up data reported
  • ⚠Lack of safety data beyond the immediate intervention period

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HD-tDCS?▼

High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that uses multiple small electrodes to deliver targeted electrical currents to specific brain regions.

How long did the treatment last?▼

The active treatment consisted of 10 daily sessions of HD-tDCS.

Did HD-tDCS affect sleep stages?▼

No significant effects on sleep stage ratio were observed after the intervention.

Is HD-tDCS a replacement for standard insomnia treatments?▼

The authors suggest it may be a promising supplement to medication and cognitive behavioral therapy, but further replication and safety data are needed.

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References

  1. 1.Li J, Li A, Jiao J, Hu K, Jiang Y, Hu X, Wang K, Chen X, Xie C. "Effects of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation for the treatment of chronic insomnia: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.." Scientific reports, 2025. PMID: 40695876 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-09304-4
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.