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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,...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 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 (ECT) from the patient's perspective.

Julie K Hersh1

  • 1jkhersh@mac.com

Journal of Medical Ethics
|December 1, 2012
PubMed
Summary

The placebo effect in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is difficult to prove without risking patient safety. Informing patients about this unproven effect may deter them from a demonstrably effective treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Medical Ethics

Background:

  • Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment for severe mental health conditions.
  • The role of the placebo effect in ECT efficacy is debated.
  • Informed consent for ECT must consider the potential impact of discussing unproven elements like placebo.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To respond to Dr. Charlotte Rosalind Blease's paper on ECT, placebo, and informed consent.
  • To argue that proving a placebo effect in ECT is ethically and practically challenging.
  • To assert that informing patients of an unproven placebo effect could negatively impact treatment acceptance.

Main Methods:

  • This is a response/commentary paper, not an empirical study.
  • It analyzes the ethical and practical implications of placebo research in the context of ECT.

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Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins
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Published on: August 15, 2017

Recording Human Electrocorticographic (ECoG) Signals for Neuroscientific Research and Real-time Functional Cortical Mapping
13:32

Recording Human Electrocorticographic (ECoG) Signals for Neuroscientific Research and Real-time Functional Cortical Mapping

Published on: June 26, 2012

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Last Updated: May 16, 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 Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins
09:07

Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins

Published on: August 15, 2017

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13:32

Recording Human Electrocorticographic (ECoG) Signals for Neuroscientific Research and Real-time Functional Cortical Mapping

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  • Draws on personal experience as an ECT recipient.

    • Main Results:

    • Proving a placebo effect in ECT carries significant risks to participant safety.
    • Potential patients may be discouraged from ECT if informed about an unproven placebo effect.
    • ECT has a history of being a highly effective treatment based on clinical experience.

    Conclusions:

    • The pursuit of proving a placebo effect in ECT may be ethically untenable.
    • Informed consent procedures should prioritize patient well-being and avoid undermining effective treatments.
    • Clinical experience suggests ECT's efficacy is robust, irrespective of placebo considerations.