Table 3 Side effects are based on ratings on a Numeric Analogue Scale (NAS).

From: Determination of anodal tDCS intensity threshold for reversal of corticospinal excitability: an investigation for induction of counter-regulatory mechanisms

Side effect

Anode (target electrode)

Cathode (return electrode)

0.3 mA

0.7 mA

1 mA

1.5 mA

0.3 mA

0.7 mA

1 mA

1.5 mA

Tingling sensation

Beginning

2.7 ± 0.14

3.9 ± 0.23

4.3 ± 0.48

4.8 ± 0.24

2.3 ± 0.21

2.7 ± 0.09

2.1 ± 0.26

2.6 ± 0.11

Middle

2.4 ± 0.23

2.3 ± 0.14

2.7 ± 0.19

2.6 ± 0.22

0.8 ± 0.15

1.0 ± 0.10

1.0 ± 0.21

1.2 ± 0.17

End

1.7 ± 0.15

1.3 ± 0.21

1.8 ± 0.22

2.0 ± 0.19

0.5 ± 0.21

0.6 ± 0.12

0.4 ± 0.18

0.6 ± 0.2

Itching sensation

Beginning

2.7 ± 0.27

2.6 ± 0.17

3.1 ± 0.28

3.7 ± 0.21

1.8 ± 0.13

1.9 ± 0.10

2.2 ± 0.16

2.7 ± 0.27

Middle

1.8 ± 0.13

1.5 ± 0.11

2.1 ± 0.28

2.2 ± 0.12

1.1 ± 0.18

1.4 ± 0.1

1.1 ± 0.25

1.5 ± 0.18

End

0.9 ± 0.11

1.2 ± 0. 12

1.0 ± 0.19

1.1 ± 0.12

0.9 ± 0.08

0.8 ± 0.10

0.6 ± 0.11

0.9 ± 0.09

Burning sensation

Beginning

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Middle

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

End

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Not tolerated

Beginning

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Middle

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

End

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

  1. 0 is representing no sensation, and 10 as the worst sensation imaginable. The sensations were recorded during three phases of stimulation: Beginning (0 min to 1/3 of stimulation duration), Middle (1/2 to 2/3 of stimulation duration), End (last 6 min to end of stimulation). Sensations under both, target (anode) and return (cathode) electrodes were recorded. Scores are reported as mean ± SEM. (–) indicates that no sensations were reported.
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