Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Electroconvulsive Therapy01:30

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or shock therapy, remains a critical biomedical intervention for severe, treatment-resistant depression. While its origins can be traced back to Hippocrates' observations that malaria-induced convulsions alleviated mental illness, modern ECT has evolved significantly from its earlier, more primitive applications. First introduced in 1938 by Ugo Cerletti and his colleagues, ECT involves inducing controlled seizures using electrical currents. In its early years,...
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy01:26

Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy

Antipsychotic drugs are a crucial treatment method for acute and chronic psychoses, bipolar illness, and behavioral disorders. The selection of these drugs depends on several factors, including the state of the disease, clinical judgment, possible drug interactions, and the patient's sensitivity to adverse effects. In immediate scenarios, such as delirium and dementia, short-term treatment with low doses of high-potency typical or atypical agents can effectively manage symptom exacerbation. For...
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias01:25

ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias

Arrhythmia is a condition characterized by an irregular heart rhythm, with ECG changes that differ based on its origin and nature. The types of arrhythmias discussed below include atrial, junctional, and ventricular arrhythmias.Atrial ArrhythmiasPremature Atrial Complexes (PACs): PACs are early atrial beats caused by stress, caffeine, alcohol, electrolyte imbalances, hypoxia, hyperthyroidism, or certain medications (e.g., bronchodilators and decongestants). The ECG shows early P waves with an...
Psychosurgery01:30

Psychosurgery

Psychosurgery, the surgical alteration or permanent removal of brain tissue to alleviate severe psychological conditions, stands as one of the most radical and controversial treatments in the history of mental health care. Its development and application have evolved significantly, marked by dramatic shifts in scientific understanding and ethical perspectives.
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...
Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies01:22

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies

Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The efficacy of clinical hypnosis in treating NREM and REM parasomnias: A retrospective study.

Sleep medicine·2026
Same author

Abnormal rapid eye movement sleep atonia control in chronic post-traumatic stress disorder.

Sleep·2021
Same author

Factors Associated With Postictal Agitation After Electroconvulsive Therapy.

The journal of ECT·2021
Same author

Personal-Professional Boundaries and Ethical Issues in Palliative Care.

The American journal of bioethics : AJOB·2020
Same author

The Association Between Body Mass Index and Remission Rates in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression Who Received Intravenous Ketamine.

The Journal of clinical psychiatry·2019
Same author

Decreasing Treatment Duration of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Using Daily Right Unilateral Ultrabrief Instead of Bitemporal ECT.

Journal of psychiatric practice·2018
Same journal

Relationships Between Advance Care Planning Engagement, Patients' Religious Practices, and Spirituality.

The American journal of hospice & palliative care·2026
Same journal

The Efficacy of Spiritual Care Intervention on Readmissions of Hospitalized Patients Receiving Palliative Care: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study Proposal.

The American journal of hospice & palliative care·2026
Same journal

Nurse-Led Advance Care Planning Interventions for Patients with Advanced Cancer: A Systematic Review.

The American journal of hospice & palliative care·2026
Same journal

Self-Reported Cannabis Use and Symptom Burden Among Patients With Cancer Receiving Palliative Care.

The American journal of hospice & palliative care·2026
Same journal

Efficacy of Oxygen Therapy for the Relief of Dyspnea in Palliative Care: A Systematic Review.

The American journal of hospice & palliative care·2026
Same journal

Survival Heterogeneity in U.S. Hospice Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

The American journal of hospice & palliative care·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Pupillary Response as Assessment of Effective Seizure Induction by Electroconvulsive Therapy
04:51

Pupillary Response as Assessment of Effective Seizure Induction by Electroconvulsive Therapy

Published on: April 11, 2019

Electroconvulsive therapy in palliative care.

Keith G Rasmussen1, Jarrett W Richardson

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN55905, USA. rasmussen.keith@mayo.edu

The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care
|November 20, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can improve quality of life for palliative care patients with severe psychiatric symptoms. This effective treatment should not be automatically excluded for those receiving end-of-life care.

More Related Videos

Electrochemotherapy of Tumours
03:57

Electrochemotherapy of Tumours

Published on: December 15, 2008

Operating Procedures of the Electrochemotherapy for Treatment of Tumor in Dogs and Cats
06:32

Operating Procedures of the Electrochemotherapy for Treatment of Tumor in Dogs and Cats

Published on: October 24, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Pupillary Response as Assessment of Effective Seizure Induction by Electroconvulsive Therapy
04:51

Pupillary Response as Assessment of Effective Seizure Induction by Electroconvulsive Therapy

Published on: April 11, 2019

Electrochemotherapy of Tumours
03:57

Electrochemotherapy of Tumours

Published on: December 15, 2008

Operating Procedures of the Electrochemotherapy for Treatment of Tumor in Dogs and Cats
06:32

Operating Procedures of the Electrochemotherapy for Treatment of Tumor in Dogs and Cats

Published on: October 24, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Geriatrics
  • Palliative Care

Background:

  • Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a proven treatment for severe psychiatric conditions.
  • ECT's invasive nature (anesthesia, IV access) raises concerns for palliative care patients.
  • Palliative care focuses on quality of life and symptom management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the utility and safety of continuing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients receiving palliative care.
  • To determine if ECT can enhance the quality of life for palliative care patients with severe psychiatric symptoms.
  • To provide guidelines for using ECT in palliative care settings.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective case series of patients receiving palliative care and ECT.
  • Analysis of patient outcomes and quality of life indicators.
  • Clinical judgment on the balance of benefits versus risks.

Main Results:

  • Several palliative care patients experienced improved quality of life with continued ECT.
  • ECT was considered beneficial for managing severe psychiatric symptoms in this population.
  • No major contraindications were identified that precluded ECT use.

Conclusions:

  • Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) should be considered for palliative care patients with severe psychiatric conditions.
  • ECT can be a valuable tool for enhancing quality of life in end-of-life care.
  • Guidelines are proposed for the judicious application of ECT in palliative care.