application of transcranial direct current stimulation in neurocritical care

Background: transcranial direct current stimulation (tdcs) is an emerging, non-invasive neuromodulation technique with massive potential in neurocritical care settings. this review covers the applications, mechanisms, and outcomes of tdcs in patients with severe neurological disorders.methods: tdcs uses low-intensity direct current to modulate cortical excitability and induce neuroplasticity, which aids in recovering motor, cognitive, and sensory functions. its simplicity and noninvasive nature enable bedside use, making it a good alternative to invasive interventions.results: the evidence suggests that tdcs improves recovery in stroke, tbi, and doc by affecting synaptic plasticity, releasing neurotrophic factors, and improving cerebral perfusion. however, due to the variability in the methodology and stimulation parameters of the studies, further research is required to determine standardized protocols. safety appears minimal, with most side effects including mild discomfort.conclusion: this review underlines the promise of tdcs as an adjunctive therapy in neurocritical care and recommends its integration into traditional rehabilitative strategies to enhance patient outcomes. future studies should investigate optimizing stimulation parameters, long-term efficacy, and condition-specific applications to exploit tdcs's therapeutic benefits.