Non-invasive brain stimulation

clinical applicability, access to treatment and future directions

Abstract

Introduction: Non-invasive neuromodulation (NmNI) encompasses a set of techniques that modulate neuronal activity without the need for surgery or implants. Interest in these techniques is growing, especially regarding their applicability and the translation of research protocol results into clinical practice. Consequently, questions arise about the safety of these procedures, their physiological effects, and the mechanisms of brain action. Objective: To discuss the applicability, effects, and barriers to treatment access and explore future directions for research and clinical practice. Methods: This is a narrative literature review that includes clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and opinion articles, with searches conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and Web of Science databases. Discussion: NmNI techniques tend to be less invasive, safer, and more accessible than neurosurgical interventions, providing an alternative to pharmacological strategies with few side effects. Aspects such as portability, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and potential for home use should be considered. Although widely used in rehabilitation, further standardization of application parameters and expanded access to the entire population are still needed. Conclusion: Future research in NmNI should focus on protocol standardization, deepening neurobiological foundations, and expanding to new clinical contexts. Treatment access is limited by financial, geographic, and educational barriers, making it essential to develop policies that ensure its inclusion in public healthcare.