Electrode characteristics are crucial in transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) since electrode design and placement determine the cortical area being modulated, current density and spatial resolution of stimulation. Early research on tDCS sought to determine optimal parameters for stimulation by specifying maximum current, duration and sizes of electrodes. Further research focused on determining efficient ways to deliver stimulation to targeted regions on the cortex with minimal discomfort to the user by altering electrode size, placement, shape and material. This review aims to give an insight on the main characteristics of electrodes used in tDCS and on the variability found in electrode parameters and placements from tDCS to high definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) applications and beyond.

电极特性在经颅直流电刺激 (tDCS) 中至关重要，因为电极设计和放置决定了被调制的皮质区域、电流密度和刺激的空间分辨率。tDCS 的早期研究试图通过指定最大电流、持续时间和电极尺寸来确定刺激的最佳参数。进一步的研究集中在通过改变电极尺寸、位置、形状和材料来确定向皮层上的目标区域提供刺激的有效方法，同时最大限度地减少用户的不适。本综述旨在深入了解 tDCS 中使用的电极的主要特性，以及从 tDCS 到高清 tDCS (HD-tDCS) 应用及其他应用的电极参数和放置中发现的可变性。