Indicators of E.C.T. response and non-response in the treatment of depression

Two matched groups of depressed patients, one ECT responsive and one ECT non-responsive, were compared for clinical, historical and treatment variables. Three factors predicted good response: (1) duration of illness less than one year; (2) presence of a precipitating event; (3) presence of delusions. A trend suggested that concurrent physical debilitation was a negative indicator. Possible explanations for these findings were proposed.