Regulating Consumer Use of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Devices
31. AM Farrell, A Carter, N Rogasch, P Fitzgerald (2018), ‘Regulating Consumer Use of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Devices’, Medical Journal of Australia, 209(1): 810, doi: 10.5694/mja17.00778.
5 Pages Posted: 12 Mar 2019
Date Written: December 01, 2017
Abstract
Non-invasive brain stimulation devices, such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), are used treat a range of medical conditions. They are also being marketed to healthy students, sportspersons and gamers to enhance their performance. We outline use, safety and effectiveness data regarding these devices, and consider ethical and regulatory issues in the area. We call for the Australian regulator (TGA) to take steps to examine the safety risks involved in using these devices, particularly given concerns over how they might impact vulnerable groups (e.g. mentally ill, children) in the long term.
Keywords: brain stimulation, transcranial brain stimulation devices, ethics, regulation, medical devices
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