[Comparison of nondominant unilateral and bilateral electroconvulsive therapy--clinical efficiency and side effects...

In a double-blind study 100 patients were treated either with conventional ECT or with unilateral ECT. The majority suffered from depressive illness, mainly endogenous depression. On average, they were hospitalized 41 days and unsuccessfully treated with antidepressants and other psychoactive drugs before ECT was given as a last treatment resort. ECT efficiency was evaluated by: (1) clinical evaluation, (2) AMP documentation, (3) the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and (4) the von Zerssen Mood Scale. Side effects were evaluated by a test (1) for vigilance (tachistoscopic threshold), (2) for verbal and visual memory, (3) for performance, (4) for concept formation, and (5) the Benton test.

There was no difference in clinical efficiency between the two methods. As for side effects, unilateral ECT produced fewer organic brain syndromes and less impairment of verbal memory and performance. Total side effects were significantly less. There was no significant difference between the two methods with regard to vigilance, visual memory, and concept formation. One week after ECT, in both groups there was a significant increase in vigilance and visual memory in comparison to the results before ECT; the unilateral group also showed significant increase in verbal memory and concentration.