Relatives' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences Toward Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Mental Health Research
• Patient Caregiver Support

Background:

• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a critical treatment for severe psychiatric conditions.
• Caregivers are essential shared decision-makers in patient treatment, yet face stigma and knowledge gaps regarding ECT.
• Understanding caregiver perspectives is crucial for improving informed consent and patient adherence to ECT.

Conclusions:

• Caregivers exhibit moderate knowledge but generally positive attitudes and experiences regarding ECT.
• While caregiver perspectives on ECT are largely favorable, the low methodological quality of existing studies limits definitive conclusions.
• Future research should prioritize qualitative methods and cohort studies to gain deeper insights into caregiver experiences with ECT.