Pre-treatment predictors of cognitive side-effects after treatment with electroconvulsive therapy in patients with depression: A multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly effective treatment for major depressive episodes (MDE). However, ECT-induced cognitive side-effects remain a concern. Identification of pre-treatment predictors that contribute to these side-effects remain unclear. We examined cognitive performance and individual cognitive profiles over time (up to six months) following ECT and investigated possible pre-treatment clinical and demographic predictors of cognitive decline shortly after ECT. METHODS: 634 patients with MDE from five sites were included with recruitment periods between 2001 and 2020. Linear mixed models were used to examine how cognitive performance, assessed with an extensive neuropsychological test battery, evolved over time following ECT. Next, possible pre-treatment predictors of cognitive side-effects directly after ECT were examined using linear regression. RESULTS: Directly after ECT, only verbal fluency (animal and letter; p < 0.0001; Cohen's d: -0.25 and -0.29 respectively) and verbal recall (p < 0.0001; Cohen's d: -0.26) significantly declined. However, during three and six months of follow-up, cognitive performance across all domains significantly improved, even outperforming baseline levels. No other pre-treatment factor than a younger age predicted a larger deterioration in cognitive performance shortly after ECT. LIMITATIONS: There was a substantial amount of missing data especially at 6 months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that verbal fluency and memory retention are temporarily affected immediately after ECT. Younger patients may be more susceptible to experiencing these acute cognitive side-effects, which seems to be mostly due to a more intact cognitive functioning prior to ECT. These findings could contribute to decision-making regarding treatment selection, psychoeducation, and guidance during an ECT course.

A Novel Approach to Monitoring Cognitive Adverse Events for Interventional Studies Involving Advanced Dementia Patients: Insights From the Electroconvulsive Therapy for Agitation in Dementia Study.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an individualized method for detecting cognitive adverse events (CAEs) in the context of an ongoing trial of electroconvulsive therapy for refractory agitation and aggression for advanced dementia (ECT-AD study). METHODS: Literature search aimed at identifying (a) cognitive measures appropriate for patients with advanced dementia, (b) functional scales to use as a proxy for cognitive status in patients with floor effects on baseline cognitive testing, and (c) statistical approaches for defining a CAE, to develop CAEs monitoring plan specifically for the ECT-AD study. RESULTS: Using the Severe Impairment Battery-8 (SIB-8), baseline floor effects are defined as a score of ≤5/16. For patients without floor effects, a decline of ≥6 points is considered a CAE. For patients with floor effects, a decline of ≥30 points from baseline on the Barthel Index is considered a CAE. These values were derived using the standard deviation index (SDI) approach to measuring reliable change. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed plan accounts for practical and statistical challenges in detecting CAEs in patients with advanced dementia. While this protocol was developed in the context of the ECT-AD study, the general approach can potentially be applied to other interventional neuropsychiatric studies that carry the risk of CAEs in patients with advanced dementia.

A Pilot Study of Adjunctive Group Therapy to Enhance Coping With Cognitive Challenges and Support Cognitive Health After Electroconvulsive Therapy.

OBJECTIVES: Concerns about the cognitive adverse effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are common among recipients of the treatment despite its relatively small adverse effects on cognitive functioning. Interventions aimed at remediating or improving coping with cognitive adverse effects of ECT have not been developed. The Enhancing Cognitive Domains after ECT (ENCODE) program is a new group intervention aimed at teaching self-management strategies to cope with the cognitive challenges and associated anxiety that often accompanies ECT. METHODS: This pilot study used a pretest-posttest design to examine the feasibility and clinical utility of delivering ENCODE to 20 adults who had received ECT in a hospital-based ECT program. RESULTS: The program was found to be both feasible and acceptable as indicated by the attainment of recruitment targets, high rates of attendance (85% of participants attended at least 5 of the 6 group sessions), and high participant satisfaction ratings (88% reported that ENCODE helped or helped very much to manage their cognitive challenges). The clinical utility of the program was suggested by reductions in depressive symptom severity and subjective memory complaints. Nonsignificant improvements were observed in global cognitive function and cognitive self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preliminary evidence for the feasibility and clinical utility of ENCODE based on program demand, strong participant satisfaction, and postgroup reductions in distress and subjective memory complaints.

Electroconvulsive Therapy Impact on Memory Performance in Patients With Depression.

INTRODUCTION: The safety of electroconvulsive therapy has improved greatly over the last decades, making the potentially adverse effects on memory and other neurocognitive functions the main clinical aspect of concern in the present. In Colombia, the general population and healthcare professionals (even some psychiatrists) seem to have mostly negative opinions towards electroconvulsive therapy treatment, but maybe this could be reconsidered if more information is provided; therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes in memory and the severity of the symptoms in a group of patients with severe depression before and after electroconvulsive therapy. METHODS: Twenty-three patients ranging in age from 23 to 70 years from the electroconvulsive therapy service at the San Juan de Dios Clinic (Manizales, Colombia) were recruited in order to assess the effect of electroconvulsive therapy on memory in patients with severe depression. Depressive symptoms and memory were assessed with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), respectively. The assessment was administered to participants before the initial treatment of electroconvulsive therapy series (0-1 day) and 2 days after their last treatment. RESULTS: Electroconvulsive therapy resulted in significant improvement in the rating of depression. There were no significant differences in the five learning trials, delayed recall, learning and forgetting scores from pre-treatment to post-treatment. Significant pre-treatment/post-treatment differences were found in the delayed recognition trial. CONCLUSIONS: Pre- and post- electroconvulsive therapy cognitive assessment is a feasible and useful procedure. In general, memory performance does not worsen after electroconvulsive therapy in patients with depression. Only delayed recognition is affected a few days following electroconvulsive therapy, particularly in patients with low educational level and bitemporal (BT) electrode placement.

Knowledge and Attitudes of First- and Final-Year Medical Students about Electroconvulsive Therapy: The Impact of Media.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate medical students' knowledge about and attitudes towards electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and to assess the impact of information sources (including those within and outside the curriculum) on knowledge and attitudes by comparing first- and final-year medical students. METHODS: Two hundred and ninety-five first-year and one hundred forty-nine final-year medical students of the University of Leuven (KU Leuven) in Belgium responded to an anonymous self-administered survey which consisted of questions about sociodemographic background, self-perceived knowledge about medicine, psychiatry and ECT, interest in psychiatry, experience with psychiatric disorders, information sources of ECT, and knowledge about and attitudes towards ECT. RESULTS: Compared to first-year medical students, final-year students had better knowledge about and more positive attitudes towards ECT, partially explained by differences in information sources. Nevertheless, both student groups showed an average knowledge score below 50%. Whereas freshmen attributed their knowledge to movies or documentaries, senior students gained knowledge mainly at university courses, scientific journals, and attending live ECT sessions. A significant positive correlation was found between knowledge about and positive attitudes towards ECT. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of first- and final-year medical students remains limited, potentially due to limited instruction about ECT in medical courses. The use of media as an information source predicted negative attitudes towards ECT. Therefore, the stigma and misinformation provided in the media need to be addressed in the medical curriculum.

Challenging stigma and attitudes towards ECT via an educational video.

While electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective therapeutic modality for the treatment of mental illness, negative attitudes and stigma exist about ECT in the general community and even within health services. Investigating interventions that improve the attitudes of health professionals towards ECT is beneficial as this reduces stigma and increases the acceptability of ECT for consumers. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the change in attitude of nursing graduates and medical students towards ECT by watching an educational video. The secondary aim was to compare health professional attitudes to those of the general community. An educational video was co-designed with consumers and members of the mental health Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce Team about ECT outlining the procedure, side effects, treatment considerations and lived experiences. Nursing graduates and medical students completed the ECT Attitude Questionnaire (EAQ) prior to and after watching the video. Descriptive statistics, paired samples t-tests and one sample t-tests were completed. One hundred and twenty-four participants completed pre- and post- questionnaires. Attitudes towards ECT significantly improved after watching the video. Positive responses towards ECT increased from 67.09% to 75.72%. Participants in this study reported higher positive attitudes towards ECT than members of the general public before and after watching the intervention. Results indicated that the video educational intervention was effective in improving attitudes towards ECT for nursing graduates and medical students. While the video is promising as an educational tool, further research is required to explore the use of the video in reducing stigma for consumers and carers.

Factors influencing motivation of patients diagnosed with depression to have electroconvulsive therapy.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: The clinical effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been confirmed for a majority of patients with several psychiatric disorders. ECT is mostly used in patients with severe depression. Choosing, persevering with and completing ECT depends on the patients' motivation for undergoing this therapy. However, the factors influencing patients' motivation for ECT have not yet been studied. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE: Four important factors that influence the motivation of patients diagnosed with major depression to have ECT were identified: (1) psychological pain and distress; (2) perceived need for treatment; (3) perception of ECT as an effective treatment; (4) influence of the environment. The first factor, psychological pain and distress, was perceived as the primary motivator for starting and continuing ECT. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Professionals should be aware of the factors that influence patients to have electroconvulsive therapy and their own role in the decision-making process and during treatment. As patients are susceptible to emotional support and as the motivation of patients for starting and continuing ECT is positively influenced by the advice and support of mental health professionals, these professionals have a key role in motivating patients for ECT. When the patient has decided to start ECT, mental health professionals should explore the factors that influence their motivation and regularly assess these factors so that they can guide the patient in their process. The professional should have an overview of these factors and investigate how they can be positively influenced to help patients keep their motivation during the treatment process. This will contribute to person-centred care and could lead to better treatment outcomes. ABSTRACT: Introduction The factors influencing patients' motivation for undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) have not yet been subjected to a thorough study. Knowledge of these factors could improve the quality of care for patients with depression recommended to have ECT. Aim To identify the factors that influence the motivation of patients diagnosed with depression to have ECT. Method This qualitative study followed a grounded theory approach in which semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 patients from four different psychiatric hospitals to study their perspectives on factors influencing their motivation to have ECT. Results The explanatory framework of factors influencing motivation for ECT comprises four main categories, starting with the most important category, psychological pain and distress, and continuing with the following categories: perceived need for treatment; perception of ECT as an effective treatment; environmental influences. Discussion In this study, we found that the psychological pain and distress of depression, and their consequences in daily life, had been the primary experiences that motivated patients to start and continue ECT. Implications for Practice This is the first study that has examined motivational factors for patients with severe depression to participate in ECT. Professionals appear to have a key role in motivating patients for ECT. They should explore factors that influence motivation for ECT, regularly assess their motivation and intervene on influential factors.

The Efficacy and Tolerability of Continuation and Maintenance Electroconvulsive Therapy for Depression: A Systematic Review of Randomized and Observational Studies.

ABSTRACT: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly effective treatment for severe and treatment-resistant depression, but relapse rates remain high despite maintenance pharmacotherapy. Continuation or maintenance ECT (C/M-ECT) offers the potential to prevent relapses in the most unwell patients, but there remains disagreement among guidelines regarding its efficacy and tolerability. This review aims to summarize and assess the current evidence for the efficacy and tolerability of continuation and maintenance ECT for depression, including data from randomized and observational studies, which included an appropriate control group. Twenty studies were found meeting inclusion criteria. There was evidence from 14 studies suggesting that relapse rates are reduced in those receiving C/M-ECT. There was evidence from 6 studies suggesting that C/M-ECT had no effect on global cognitive function. Detailed neuropsychological testing was limited, but within studies that assessed specific cognitive domains, there was not consistent evidence for deficits in C/M-ECT compared with the control group. The certainty of evidence across outcomes was low or very low because of inclusion of observational studies, heterogeneity of study design, and patient populations. The findings add further weight to evidence suggesting that C/M-ECT is a viable treatment option to prevent relapse in severe depression and provides clinicians with further evidence for the benefits and risks of C/M-ECT when discussing treatment options with patients. Future research should focus on randomized or well-designed prospective studies with sufficient follow-up to determine longer-term outcomes, while including a standardized, detailed neurocognitive battery to assess potential adverse effects.

Suicidal Ideation and Electroconvulsive Therapy: Outcomes in Adolescents With Major Depressive Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Few studies on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) investigate efficacy and safety on depressive adolescents with strong suicidal ideation. Our study examined adolescents (aged 13-18 years) with major depressive disorder to explore ECT effectiveness in improving suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms, as well as its impact on cognitive function. METHODS: This nonrandomized controlled trial enrolled 183 adolescent patients suffering from major depressive disorder. The ECT group (n = 81) was treated with antidepressants and 8 rounds of ECT for 2 weeks. The control group comprised 79 patients treated with antidepressants only. Depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and cognitive functions were assessed at baseline (pre-ECT) and at 2 and 6 weeks post-ECT. RESULTS: The ECT group showed significant improvements over control in suicidal ideation from the end of treatment to 6 weeks after ( P < 0.001). Depressive symptoms also improved ( P < 0.001). Patients treated with ECT demonstrated poorer performance in delayed memory, attention, and language, but these impairments were transient. Thus, ECT was generally safe in adolescent patients with major depressive disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings verified ECT as effective and safe for improving suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms of adolescent patients with major depressive disorder. In addition, partially impaired cognitive function recovered gradually after ECT.

Ethics Considerations in Laws Restricting Incapacitated Patients' Access to ECT.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective treatment used for numerous psychiatric conditions. While many patients for whom ECT is indicated are able to give voluntary informed consent, some lack decision-making capacity (DMC), at least temporarily. Case reports from numerous countries involving ECT for patients who lack DMC indicate overall positive outcomes and high patient satisfaction with results comparable with those of consenting patients; some patients regain DMC with ECT. Laws and regulations pertaining to ECT vary widely around the world and across the United States. Many United States jurisdictions over-regulate ECT relative to other interventions with comparable risks and potential benefits. While laws restricting whether and under what circumstances patients who lack DMC may receive ECT likely are aimed at protecting incapacitated persons, such laws sometimes undermine important ethics obligations and should be re-evaluated.

Electroconvulsive therapy or clozapine for adolescents with treatment-resistant schizophrenia: an explorative analysis on symptom dimensions.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to compare pre-intervention patient characteristics and post-intervention outcomes in a naturalistic sample of adolescent inpatients with treatment-resistant psychotic symptoms who received either electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or clozapine. METHODS: Data of adolescents with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder receiving ECT or clozapine were retrospectively collected from two tertiary-care psychiatry-teaching university hospitals. Subscale scores of the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) factors were calculated according to the five-factor solution. Baseline demographics, illness characteristics, and post-intervention outcomes were compared. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between patients receiving ECT (n = 13) and clozapine (n = 66) in terms of age, sex, and the duration of hospital stay. The ECT group more commonly had higher overall illness and aggression severity. Smoking was less frequent in the clozapine group. Baseline resistance/excitement symptom severity was significantly higher in the ECT group, while positive, negative, affect, disorganisation, and total symptom scores were not. Both interventions provided a significant reduction in PANSS scores with large effect sizes. CONCLUSION: Both ECT and clozapine yielded high effectiveness rates in adolescents with treatment-resistant schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder. Youth receiving ECT were generally more activated than those who received clozapine.

Electroconvulsive Therapy for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms due to Major Neurocognitive Disorder: A Prospective, Observational Study.

OBJECTIVES: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) in those with major neurocognitive disorder (MNCD) include the responsive behaviors of agitation and aggression. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has shown some effectiveness based on retrospective studies and one open label prospective study. We hypothesized that ECT will reduce NPSs between baseline and after treatment in those with medication-refractory behaviors. METHOD/DESIGN: This Canadian prospective multicenter study included MNCD patients admitted to geriatric psychiatry units for the management of refractory NPSs. All treatment-refractory participants suffered from advanced MNCD. We conducted the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Clinician version and the Pittsburgh Agitation Scale at baseline, and during and after the ECT course. A bitemporal or bifrontal ECT series based on dose titration to 1.5 to 2.5 times seizure threshold was administered. RESULTS: Data were collected for 33 patients with a mean age of 73 and categorized with severe MNCD using the Functional Assessment Staging of Alzheimer's Disease scale (stages 6 and 7). The data showed a drop in mean Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Clinician version from 58.36 to 24.58 (P < 0.0001). Mean Neuropsychiatric Inventory agitation subscale dropped from 7.12 to 3.09 (P = 0.007). Mean Neuropsychiatric Inventory aggression subscale dropped from 6.94 to 0.97 (P < 0.0001). There was a concomitant significant decline in Pittsburgh Agitation Scale scores. No participants dropped out because of intolerance of ECT. One participant died from pneumonia, which did not appear related to ECT. CONCLUSIONS: In this naturalistic study, ECT was found to be a safe and effective treatment for certain NPSs in people with MNCD. This can translate into improving quality of life.

Recipients' experience with information provision for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

BACKGROUND: Despite improvements, studies continue to report unsatisfactory provision of information before, during and after electroconvulsive treatment (ECT). AIMS: The study explores participants' experiences with information provision about ECT. METHODS: In-depth interviews with 21 participants (21- 65 year-old) were conducted. Thematic analysis resulted in identification of four themes: pre-treatment knowledge, experience of informed consent, the need for information depth and life after ECT. The study includes user involvement. RESULTS: Although some participants were satisfied with information provision, the majority experienced an education deficit throughout the treatment period. Their consent was based mostly on oral information, insufficient and unvaried information on official health websites and media. Further, patients reported a lack of follow-up services that can attend to (neuro) psychological concerns. CONCLUSIONS: Better access to updated factual and narrative information should support patient education and autonomy. Active use of diary writing, better follow-up and more varied representations of experience with ECT in media and health information sites are necessary to educate, improve consent processes and reduce stigma.

How Do People Perceive and Adapt to Any Consequences of Electro Convulsive Therapy on Their Daily Lives?

Great controversy surrounds the use of electroconvulsive therapy or ECT. However, it continues to be used internationally. While research on short term effects of ECT abound, there is limited knowledge about long term impacts of ECT on individuals, especially from the lived experience perspective. The aim of this qualitative study was to gain an in-depth understanding of longer-term lived experiences of ECT and how people navigate any impacts on their daily lives. Twenty-three people participated in semi-structured interviews. Data collection and analysis involved an iterative process. Data were coded into four categories: (1) My ECT experience included physical mechanics, decision making, clinic experiences, post ECT support and attitudes and support of others); (2) Direct impacts of ECT on me encompassed both cognitive and emotional impacts; (3) Impacts on my life comprised daily activities, relationships, ongoing health care; and My strategies incorporated fixing or working around the problem, reframing, using support networks, protecting myself and taking control. Insights gleaned through lived experiences have important implications for other service users, direct service providers and those striving for system reforms that embrace more recovery orientated and trauma informed practices.

Current knowledge and attitudes of psychiatric nurses toward electroconvulsive therapy.

PURPOSE: This study assessed the current knowledge and attitudes of psychiatric nurses toward electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). DESIGN AND METHODS: A quantitative, nonexperimental study was conducted at a large psychiatric hospital in the United States. The Questionnaire on Attitudes and Knowledge (QuAKE) Scale was used to conduct the assessment among a convenient sample of 158 psychiatric nurses. FINDINGS: Participants' responses to questions that elicited knowledge of ECT ranged from 45% to 99% and positive attitudes ranged from 21% to 96%, revealing increased levels when compared with the low to average knowledge and positive attitudes noted in previous studies. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Targeted ECT education is needed among psychiatric nurses with limited knowledge and negative attitudes toward ECT.

Does pop-culture affect perception of medical procedures? Report on knowledge and attitude towards electroconvulsive therapy among Polish students. / Czy popkultura wplywa na postrzeganie procedur medycznych? Raport o stanie wiedzy i nastawieniu polskich studentów do terapii elektrowstrzasowej.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the general knowledge and attitudes towards ECT among Polish students, including students of medical faculties. Furthermore, the influence of pop-culture on society's opinion about ECT was investigated. METHODS: For this purpose, 1,370 students have been examined with the usage of the author's questionnaire, which consisted of questions about socio-demographic data, detailed questions about ECT as well as questions about their opinion about influence of pop-culture on the reception of this procedure. The respondents were divided into four subgroups depending on the faculty of their studies: human sciences, technical, medical and health sciences. RESULTS: The results show that the knowledge about ECT among Polish students is on avery low level, as in many cases the therapy is considered as painful, ineffective or even illegal. CONCLUSIONS: The influence of the media, especially film industry, on creating a negative opinion on the subject of ECT is significant. Furthermore, many respondents obtain their knowledge about this procedure from television or from the Internet, where the information is often incorrect.

The clinical relevance of dose titration in electroconvulsive therapy: A systematic review of the literature.

Electroconvulsive therapy is a highly effective treatment of several psychiatric disorders. The debate regarding which charge dosing method offers the most favorable risk-benefit ratio remains. Our objective was to review the comparative evidence regarding efficacy and tolerability of dose titration (DT) vs other charge dosing methods, such as the age-based method (ABM) and the fixed dose method. Our secondary objective was to examine which populations would most benefit from DT. We conducted a systematic review of the literature in March 2020. Studies comparing DT to another charge dosing method were included. Fourteen articles depicting hypothetical comparisons between DT and another dosing method were found and seven articles made hypothetical comparisons without measurement of clinical outcomes. Although there is a trend in favor of DT in these articles, no clear recommendations could be drawn regarding the clinical superiority of one method. Older patients could be at higher risk of overstimulation with ABM, especially older women. The lack of high-quality prospective trials was a limitation as well as the fact that many studies used suprathreshold stimulus intensity deemed insufficient according to recent guidelines. This review emphasizes that more studies are needed to establish the differential clinical relevance of each method.

Low-frequency rTMS inhibits the anti-depressive effect of ECT. A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the prefrontal cortex has been shown to have a statistically and clinically significant anti-depressant effect. The present pilot study was carried out to investigate if right prefrontal low-frequency rTMS as an add-on to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) accelerates the anti-depressant effect and reduces cognitive side effects. METHODS: In this randomised, controlled, double-blind study, thirty-five patients with major depression were allocated to ECT+placebo or ECT+low-frequency right prefrontal rTMS. The severity of depression was evaluated during the course using the Hamilton scale for depression (the 17-item as well as the 6-item scale) and the major depression inventory (MDI). Furthermore, neuropsychological assessment of cognitive function was carried out. RESULTS: The study revealed no significant difference between the two groups for any of the outcomes, but with a visible trend to lower scores for MDI after treatment in the placebo group. The negative impact of ECT on neurocognitive functions was short-lived, and scores on logical memory were significantly improved compared to baseline 4 weeks after last treatment. The ECT-rTMS group revealed generally less impairment of cognitive functions than the ECT-placebo group. CONCLUSION: The addition of low-frequency rTMS as an add-on to ECT treatment did not result in an accelerated response. On the contrary, the results suggest that low-frequency rTMS could inhibit the anti-depressant effect of ECT.

Understanding electroconvulsive therapy-related anxiety: a prospective study.

AIMS OF STUDY: Although electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)-related anxiety is experienced by a significant proportion of patients, it remains understudied. Our aim was to study the course of ECT-related anxiety during ECT. METHODS: Seventy-four patients with unipolar or bipolar depression, referred for ECT, were included. ECT-related anxiety was assessed the morning before each ECT session using the ECT-related Anxiety Questionnaire (ERAQ). RESULTS: Female patients reported more anxiety than men (F(1,64.6) = 3.95, P = 0.05). Patients with a psychotic depression were more anxious before the start of ECT (F(64.8) = 4.57, P = 0.04), but experienced a significant decrease in ECT-related anxiety (t(63.9) = -3.63, P = 0.0006), whereas patients with a non-psychotic depression remained stable on anxiety during their ECT course (t(63,9) = 0.76, P = 0.45). In addition, we found a significant correlation between the decrease of ECT-related anxiety and the decrease of depression-severity (r = 0.35; P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: There are individual differences in ECT-related anxiety trajectories during ECT. Both female patients and patients with psychotic depression experienced more ECT-related anxiety before the start of ECT. The severity of ECT-related anxiety decreased significantly in patients with a psychotic depression, but remained stable in patients without a psychotic depression during ECT. In addition, patients who showed a stronger decrease in depression-severity also showed a stronger decrease in ECT-related anxiety. A better understanding of ECT-related anxiety trajectories can help in designing anxiety-reducing interventions.

Monitoring Electroconvulsive Therapy-Related Anxiety: The ECT-Related Anxiety Questionnaire.

OBJECTIVES: A reliable questionnaire designed to measure electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)-related anxiety is currently not available. We report the development and evaluation of the ECT-Related Anxiety Questionnaire (ERAQ), a questionnaire that measures anxiety with respect to ECT in clinical practice. METHODS: Patients 18 years or older who were about to start with or were having an ECT course were asked to complete a self-designed 17-item ECT-related anxiety questionnaire. We investigated the psychometric properties of the ERAQ through the use of an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and Item Response Theory analysis. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-three patients were included. From the exploratory factor analysis, we conclude that the scale is unidimensional. The confirmatory factor analysis model did not fit well to the data. The Item Response Theory analysis showed that the slope estimates ranged from 1.23 to 2.95 and that location parameters reflected a sizable underlying anxiety for ECT. CONCLUSIONS: The ERAQ is a questionnaire that assesses ECT-related anxiety. It offers a measure of global severity and differentiates between various topics of anxiety. The ERAQ thus informs the clinician about the specific aspects of an ECT course that could trigger a patient's anxiety and can guide clinicians in how to discuss ECT-related anxieties with patients.