Efficacy of Noninvasive Brain Stimulation on Borderline Personality Disorder Core Symptoms: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Although psychotherapy is the first-line treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD), psychopharmacological agents have not been approved yet. Modulating brain functions with noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) interventions, such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), may have a role in the treatment of BPD. In light of the limited knowledge available and the emerging interest in the possible role of NIBS as a therapeutic tool, the authors' main aim is to systematically review the literature on the effect of both rTMS and tDCS on BPD symptoms, specifically affective dysregulation, impulsive-behavioral dyscontrol, and cognitive-perceptual difficulties. The review process was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The research methods were registered on PROSPERO (id code CRD42020209491). Eleven studies were included in the review. Despite the limited number of studies retrieved, preliminary data showed an improvement in all domains. Further studies are needed to understand potential long-term advantages of NIBS.