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Published on: August 2, 2021
Efficacy of ECT in depression: a meta-analytic review
Daniel Pagnin1, Valéria de Queiroz, Stefano Pini
1Department of Psychiatry, Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Biotechnology. University of Pisa, Italy. d.pagnin@psico.med.unipi.it
Abstract:
This study analyzed the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in depression by means a meta-analytic review of randomized controlled trials that compared ECT with simulated ECT or placebo or antidepressant drugs and by a complementary meta-analytic review of nonrandomized controlled trials that compared ECT with antidepressants drugs. The review revealed a significant superiority of ECT in all comparisons: ECT versus simulated ECT, ECT versus placebo, ECT versus antidepressants in general, ECT versus TCAs and ECT versus MAOIs. The nonrandomized controlled trials also revealed a significant statistical difference in favor of ECT when confronted with antidepressants drugs. Data analyzed suggest that ECT is a valid therapeutic tool for treatment of depression, including severe and resistant forms.
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