Efficacy and safety of noninvasive brain stimulation for ADHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis of double-blind randomized controlled trials across international English and Chinese databases.
Pooled findings favored brain stimulation for ADHD symptoms, but effects varied markedly. The review does not support routine clinical use.
Cui H, Wang G, Wang S, Tang R, Li Y, Jiang W, Wei Y, Zhang T, Xu L, Jiang L, Wang J, Li C.
Psychiatry research · Publication date: 2026-09-19
Added to site: 2026-09-23
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2026.117464
Electronic publication date verified in Europe PMC; first indexed 2026-09-23. This source date is separate from the site's addition date.
- Modalities
- rTMS, tDCS, Transcranial nerve stimulation
- Clinical focus
- ADHD, Clinical symptoms
- Population
- Participants with ADHD; ages and subgroup denominators were unavailable in the abstract
- Sample
- 15 studies, 17 comparisons and 746 participants
- Intervention / method
- Multiple noninvasive brain-stimulation protocols
- Comparator
- Sham stimulation
Clinician summary
The pooled standardized mean difference was -1.12 (95% CI -2.05 to -0.19; I²=94%). rTMS subgroup findings were promising; tDCS and nerve stimulation were not significant. Dropout and adverse-event differences were not significant.
How to interpret the findings
High heterogeneity limits the pooled estimate. Subgroup signals do not establish an optimal protocol, and absence of significant adverse-event differences does not prove safety.
Equipment and disclosures
Various devices; no vendor-specific efficacy established.
Funding and competing-interest details were not available in the checked indexed record.
Related evidence
Compare findings from the same clinical area, including mixed results.
- Is neurofeedback an efficacious treatment for ADHD? A randomised controlled clinical trial. · Positive with limitations
- Neurofeedback for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. · Mixed
- Slow Cortical Potential Versus Live Z-score Neurofeedback in Children and Adolescents with ADHD: A Multi-arm Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial with Active and Passive Comparators. · Mixed
- ADHD classification using spherical phase space partitioning and symbolic time series analysis of multi-channel EEG signals · Positive with limitations
Summary prepared with AI assistance. Source verification does not imply an independent replication or a clinician's endorsement. Read our review method.