Electroconvulsive therapy use in New South Wales between 1944 and 1949

AimsTo identify clinical and other factors associated with the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in New South Wales for the period 1944-1949 and to compare with contemporaneous practice.MethodAnnual reports of the Inspector-General of Mental Hospitals in NSW (1944/45 to 1948/49) were examined.Main findingsSeven hospitals reported a total of 8964 courses of treatment during the period. Demographically, 60.6% of patients who received ECT were female, and rural hospitals reported 13.6% of courses. ECT was as likely to be given for non-affective psychoses (37.7%), as for affective psychoses (35.0%). ECT was also administered for confusional states and non-psychotic disorders. Better outcomes were observed for depression, anxiety and confusional states than non-affective psychoses. Recovery rates declined over the study period. Mortality was <1%.ConclusionsThe clinical indications for ECT in the mid-twentieth century in NSW were much broader than currently. There has been no change in the sex ratio of patients administered ECT or reported mortality.