Continuation or maintenance ECT for schizophrenia: A narrative review of case report data.
Australas Psychiatry
; 32(4): 309-313, 2024 Aug.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38805612
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
This review aimed to address the limited evidence on the efficacy of continuation or maintenance electroconvulsive therapy (C/M-ECT) in schizophrenia, with a focus on international case reports and series due to the scarcity of randomised controlled trials. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Electronic database searches were conducted to identify case reports or series evaluating the efficacy of C/M-ECT in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.RESULTS:
C/M-ECT treatment span varied from 3 months to 36 years (Median = 30 months; M = 43.9 months; SD = 63.0) and was effective in maintaining remission for most patients with schizophrenia in combination with antipsychotic medication. Reporting of adverse events including cognitive adverse effects was infrequent.CONCLUSIONS:
Collation of case reports and series data indicated that C/M-ECT, when combined with antipsychotics, appears to be a safe and effective strategy for maintaining remission, even over several years. Caution is warranted due to the potential influence of publication bias.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Schizophrenia
/
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Australas Psychiatry
Journal subject:
PSIQUIATRIA
Year:
2024
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Australia