Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation associated with hypocaloric diet on glucose homeostasis in obesity. Issue 12 (23rd November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Araujo, Carina; Fitz, Raquel C.; da Natividade, Gabriella R.; Osório, Amanda F.; Merello, Paula N.; Mesquita, Leonardo de A.; Correia, Poliana E.; Freitas, Priscila A. C.; Brietzke, Elisa; Gerchman, Fernando
• Is Part Of: Obesity. Volume 30:Issue 12(2022)
• Page Start: 2414
• Page End: 2423
• Publication Date: 2022-11-23
• Subjects: Obesity -- Periodicals; 616.398005
• DOI: 10.1002/oby.23565
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1930-7381

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to test the effects of repetitive active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (rDLPFC) associated with a hypocaloric diet on glucose homeostasis in people with excessive weight. Methods: Adults with overweight or obesity were selected in a randomized, double‐blind pilot study to complete 4 weeks (20 sessions) of fixed‐dose tDCS (2 mA, 20 minutes) delivered over the rDLPFC and associated with a standard hypocaloric diet. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) and stratified by sex to the active tDCS group (active) or the sham tDCS group (sham). Changes in glucose homeostasis were assessed in a 4‐hour liquid meal tolerance test, performed before and after the intervention. Results: Twenty‐eight participants were randomized (79% with obesity; mean [SD] age 37.6 [5.8] years). After the intervention, fasting plasma glucose (mean [95% CI], −7.8 mg/dL [−14.0 to −1.6]) and insulin levels (−7.7 μIU/mL [−13.9 to −1.6]) decreased in the active compared with the sham. Similarly, the Matsuda insulin sensitivity index increase in the active (4.7 pmol −1 × mmol −1 [1.6 to 7.8]) compared with the sham (0.6 pmol −1 × mmol −1 [−1.4 to 3.2]). Conclusions: Repetitive, active tDCS over the rDLPFC could be a promising noninvasive technique to improve glucose homeostasis in individuals with overweight or obesity on a low‐calorie diet, highlighting the importance of investigating this intervention modality in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.