Efficacy of ECT in the treatment of pharmacoresistant depressive disorder from patients point of view
Abstract
Introduction: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective treatment of depression. The aim of this study was to evaluate ECT efficacy from the patient's point of view.
Methods: The data from 23 pharmacoresistant patients (no response after treatment with minimal 2 antidepressants) with mean age 42.3+-13.0 years were analyse. All of patients underwent ECT in the open ward of Psychiatric Centre Prague from January 2003 to October 2004.
We used bilateral ECT, 3 times per week with age adjusted intensity. Patients also filled Beck's depression inventory (BDI) and Beck's anxiety inventory (BAI).
We compared the ratings on these subjective scales before ECT and one week after the last ECT. One patient did not finish the complete set of ECT due to respiratory problems in connection with anesthesia.