Electroconvulsive therapy—efficacy and side-effects
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and duration of associated side effects is uncertain. We wanted to study indications, efficacy, time to response and side effects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: ECT-protocols and medical records (from the period 1960-95) in three psychiatric wards of Dikemark Mental Hospital, Norway were systematically assessed. RESULTS: 141 persons underwent 241 ECT series comprising 1960 treatment sessions. Major depressive disorder was the main diagnosis in most patients 124 [88 %]. Before ECT, 129 (91 %) patients had been treated with at least one antidepressant, 107 (76 %) with at least two and 67 (48 %) with two different classes of antidepressants without sufficient clinical recovery from the incident. 31 (22 %) had received lithium before ECT. Within four weeks after the first ECT, 120 (85 %) patients had recovered. 61 of these achieved remission and were discharged within four weeks. After the first ECT series, 92 patients showed signs of improvement. 71 (77 %) had signs of improvement within 6 days. Side effects were noted after 123 of totally 241 series (51 %). Five patients experienced serious complications. Interpretation. The immediate effect of ECT was good and signs of recovery were observed in most patients during the first week. Depressed psychotic patients and the elderly seemed to respond best. Considering these patients' serious and long-lasting disorders ECT was fairly safe and well tolerated.
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Neurostimulation such as vagus nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation, or electroconvulsive therapy carries a risk of infections and other potential side effects due to surgical implantation.
“Neurostimulation, such as vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), deep brain stimulation (DBS), or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), has been recommended and is effective for treatment-resistant depression; however, these interventions also possess a certain risk of developing infections and other potential side effects due to surgical implantation.[6–8]”
From Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in treating major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2018) · cites this paper as [7]
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Cites
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Research works printed but not linked: 3
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Wu, C., Liu, P., Fu, H., Chen, W., Cui, S., Lu, L., & Tang, C. (2018) · Medicine · doi:10.1097/md.0000000000013845 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Relapse following electroconvulsive therapy
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Moksnes, K. M., & Ilner, S. O.
- Affiliations
- Oslo University Hospital (NO)
- Venue
- Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening
- Publisher
- Norwegian Medical Association
- Published
- 2010-12-16
- Volume
- 130
- Issue
- 24
- Pages
- 2460-4
- ISSN
- 0029-2001 (ISSN-L)
- 0807-7096
- OpenAlex
- W2169058410
- Cited by
- 20
- References
- 20
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 1.75
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- no
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by-nd
- Locations
- Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening (publishedVersion, cc-by-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Electroconvulsive Therapy Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
- Keywords
- electroconvulsive therapy, major depressive disorder, treatment efficacy, adverse effects, antidepressant treatment, lithium, remission, time to response, elderly patients, psychotic depression, ECT safety
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Mental Disorders, Major Depressive Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Major, Electroconvulsive Therapy, Humans, Middle Aged, Treatment Outcome, Outcome Assessment, Health Care
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