Therapeutic results in brief-interval unilateral ECT

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Endogenous depression is a severe mood disorder requiring effective treatment.
• Unilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a recognized treatment modality.
• Optimizing ECT frequency may improve patient outcomes and treatment efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the therapeutic efficacy and safety of twice-weekly versus four-times-weekly unilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for endogenous depression.
• To assess the impact of ECT frequency on treatment duration, depression severity reduction, and complication rates.
• To evaluate the effect of ECT frequency on cognitive function, specifically memory.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 104 patients with endogenous depression.
• Patients were randomized into two groups: two or four unilateral ECT treatments per week.
• Depression severity, memory function (WMS Forms I and II), and EEG were assessed before treatment, after the sixth treatment, and after the final treatment.

Main Results:

• The group receiving four ECT treatments per week required statistically fewer overall treatments and showed a trend towards greater depression score reduction.
• Treatment duration was reduced by 11-12 days in the four-treatment-per-week group.
• Increased frequency of unilateral ECT did not lead to a higher incidence of complications or memory impairment.

Conclusions:

• Administering four unilateral ECT treatments per week is a safe and effective strategy for endogenous depression.
• The accelerated treatment schedule significantly reduces overall treatment time without compromising efficacy or increasing adverse effects.
• Four weekly unilateral ECT sessions are recommended to expedite recovery and minimize patient burden.