Maintenance ECT in treatment-resistant schizophrenia

Although electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been used to treat schizophrenia since its inception in 1938, its efficacy as long-term treatment is still controversial. A 2-Phase, prospective study has been conducted in 21 patients with schizophrenia. The duration of study was 1 year. Bilateral ECT combined with flupenthixol (18-24 mg/day) was used throughout. Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), and Mini-Mental-State Exam (MMSE) were used to measure the outcome. No patients suffered relapses. There were marked reductions in BPRS scores (73 per cent and 70 per cent), and increases in GAF scores (68 per cent and 91 per cent), at the end of Phases I and II, respectively. This study suggests a long-term efficacy of ECT combined with neuroleptic therapy in patients with schizophrenia.