The benefits and costs of changing treatment technique in electroconvulsive therapy due to insufficient improvement of a major depressive episode.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) technique is often changed after insufficient improvement, yet there has been little research on switching strategies.

Objective

To document clinical outcome in ECT nonresponders who were received a second course using high dose, brief pulse, bifrontotemporal (HD BP BL) ECT, and compare relapse rates and cognitive effects relative to patients who received only one ECT course and as a function of the type of ECT first received.

Methods

Patients were classified as receiving Weak, Strong, or HD BP BL ECT during three randomized trials at Columbia University. Nonresponders received HD BP BL ECT. In a separate multi-site trial, Optimization of ECT, patients were randomized to right unilateral or BL ECT and nonresponders also recei

SUBMITTER: Sackeim HA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7494636 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep - Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature