Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
Individualized rTMS Treatment for Depression using an fMRI-Based Targeting Method
Published on: August 2, 2021
[Prediction of effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy in major depression with routinely collected data]
I M de Vreede1, H Burger, I M van Vliet
1Reinier van Arkel groep.
Background:
Little is known about the possibility to predict response to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients with major depression.
Aim:
To create an indexforthe prediction ofresponse to ECT in an individual patient.
Method:
Fifty-three depressive patients referred for ECT were included. Poor response was defined as a decrease in Hamilton Rating Depression Scale less than 50%. With multivariable analyses a simple index of independent predictors was constructed.
Results:
Thirty-one patients (58%) showed poor response. The index comprised age < 65 years, psychotic depression, refractory to antidepressant medication, and personality disorder. It discriminated poor response patients reasonably well with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.76 (95% confidence interval 0.63-0.89).
Conclusion:
Response to ECT may be predicted using an index with four patient characteristics. Before implementation, however, validation of the index in future patients is mandatory.
