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Updated: Nov 6, 2025

Pupillary Response as Assessment of Effective Seizure Induction by Electroconvulsive Therapy
Published on: April 11, 2019
Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on provision of electroconvulsive therapy
Richard Braithwaite1, Robert Chaplin2, Vimal Sivasanker3
1Isle of Wight NHS Trust, Newport, Isle of Wight, UK.
Aims And Method:
COVID-19 has had a heavy impact on healthcare provision worldwide, including delivery of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). A survey was completed in the UK and Republic of Ireland in April and July 2020 by 95 and 89 ECT clinics respectively.
Results:
In April 2020, 53% of the clinics provided only emergency treatment and 24% had closed. Reasons included unavailability of anaesthetists, infection control measures and staff sickness. Restrictions persisted in July, with disruption to an estimated 437 individuals' treatment and poor outcomes, including clinical deterioration and readmission.
Clinical Implications:
Risk stratification, longer clinic sessions, improvements in ventilation, regular virus testing, pragmatic staff rostering and availability of personal protective equipment will protect against service disruption in subsequent waves of the pandemic.
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