The effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy: A literature review
Article
Read, J. and Bentall, Richard 2010. The effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy: A literature review. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences. 19 (4), pp. 333-347. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1121189X00000671
Authors | Read, J. and Bentall, Richard |
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Abstract | Aim – To review the literature on the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy [ECT], with a particular focus on depression, its primary target group. Methods – PsycINFO, Medline, previous reviews and meta-analyses were searched in an attempt to identify all studies comparing ECT with simulated-ECT [SECT]. Results – These placebo controlled studies show minimal support for effectiveness with either depression or ‘schizophrenia’ during the course of treatment (i.e. only for some patients, on some measures, sometimes perceived only by psychiatrists but not by other raters), and no evidence, for either diagnostic group, of any benefits beyond the treatment period. There are no placebo-controlled studies evaluating the hypothesis that ECT prevents suicide, and no robust evidence from other kinds of studies to support the hypothesis. Conclusions – Given the strong evidence (summarised here) of persistent and, for some, permanent brain dysfunction, primarily evidenced in the form of retrograde and anterograde amnesia, and the evidence of a slight but significant increased risk of death, the cost-benefit analysis for ECT is so poor that its use cannot be scientifically justified. |
Journal | Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences |
Journal citation | 19 (4), pp. 333-347 |
ISSN | 2045-7960 |
Year | 2010 |
Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1017/S1121189X00000671 |
Web address (URL) | https://doi.org/10.1017/S1121189X00000671 |
Publication dates | |
Dec 2010 | |
Online | 01 Apr 2011 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 28 Feb 2018 |
Copyright information | © 2010 Cambridge University Press |
https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/861q9
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