Electroshock o Terapia Electroconvulsiva (TEC) en Chile: Diagnóstico crítico, activismo social y enfoque de derechos / Electroshock or Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in Chile: Critical diagnosis, social activism and human rights approach

El electroshock o Terapia Electroconvulsiva (TEC) es un procedimiento controversial desde una mi-rada ética y científica. Organizaciones en primera persona del ámbito de la salud mental han generado un debate público respecto a su uso, señalado que es un procedimiento severamente invasivo con efectos dañinos en el cerebro. En ese contexto, el presente artículo realiza una revisión crítica del uso de esta práctica en el campo de la psiquiatría. Junto con ello, describe un panorama general del marco institucional en que se realiza la Terapia Electro-convulsiva (TEC) en Chile. Finalmente, examina los fundamentos e implicancias del enfoque de derechos para una mayor regulación o absoluta prohibición de este procedimiento

Electroshock or Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a controversial procedure from an ethical and scientific perspective. Organizations led by users and ex users in the field of mental health have generated a public debate regarding its use, pointing out that it is a severely invasive procedure with harmful effects on the brain. In that context, this article critically re-views the use of this practice in the field of psychiatry. In addition, it describes an overview of the institutional framework in which Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is performed in Chile. Finally, it examines the fundamentals and implications of the perspective of human rights for a greater regulation or absolute prohibition of this procedure

Electrical stunning effectiveness with current levels lower than 1 A in lambs and kid goats.

An experiment with 360 lambs grouped into three Spanish commercial categories, (Pascual, 13-16 kg; Recental, 9-13 kg and Lechal <7 kg carcass weight) and kid goats (7 kg) was performed to assess stunning effectiveness after head-only (HO) and head-to-body (HB) electrical stunning with intensity currents of 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 Amperes (A) compared to 1.0 A. After stunning, all animals showed tonic-clonic muscular activity and epileptiform EEG, absence of rhythmic breathing, corneal reflex, spontaneous blinking and pain sensibility. The quiescent EEG occurred earlier (P < 0.05) in HB compared to HO in all categories. More animals recovered corneal reflex and rhythmic breathing before onset of the quiescent activity after HO (from 15 to 50%) compared to HB (from 0 to 15%) (P < 0.05). Concluding, HO and HB electrical stunning with 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 A induce effective stunning similar to 1.0 A in lambs and kid goats. After stunning and sticking, brain failure occurs earlier in HB than HO system.

Electrical safety of conducted electrical weapons relative to requirements of relevant electrical standards.

INTRODUCTION: TASER(®) conducted electrical weapons (CEW) deliver electrical pulses that can inhibit a person's neuromuscular control or temporarily incapacitate. TASER X26, X26P, and X2 are among CEW models most frequently deployed by law enforcement agencies. The X2 CEW uses two cartridge bays while the X26 and X26P CEWs have only one. The TASER X26P CEW electronic output circuit design is equivalent to that of any one of the two TASER X2 outputs. The goal of this paper was to analyze the nominal electrical outputs of TASER X26, X26P, and X2 CEWs in reference to provisions of several international standards that specify safety requirements for electrical medical devices and electrical fences. Although these standards do not specifically mention CEWs, they are the closest electrical safety standards and hence give very relevant guidance. METHODS: The outputs of two TASER X26 and two TASER X2 CEWs were measured and confirmed against manufacturer and other published specifications. The TASER X26, X26P, and X2 CEWs electrical output parameters were reviewed against relevant safety requirements of UL 69, IEC 60335-2-76 Ed 2.1, IEC 60479-1, IEC 60479-2, AS/NZS 60479.1, AS/NZS 60479.2 and IEC 60601-1. Prior reports on similar topics were reviewed as well. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Our measurements and analyses confirmed that the nominal electrical outputs of TASER X26, X26P and X2 CEWs lie within safety bounds specified by relevant requirements of the above standards.

Verification of the technical parameters of head-only electrical stunning of pigs under commercial conditions.

The European Food Safety Authority recommends a minimum current of 1.3 Amps for the electrical head-only stunning of pigs. However, it is stated as well that 'the technical reference data for head-only electrical stunning of pigs such as 1.3 Amps are either rather old or worked out under experimental laboratory conditions'. This study was carried out to verify the electrical parameters of pig stunning under commercial conditions. Altogether 145 fattener pigs (body weight range: 30-150 kg, median 109 kg) were tested at four different private slaughterhouses in Hungary where head-only electrical stunners were used with different constant voltage settings. In each case the following data were recorded: individual liveweight (kg), current (A) and voltage (V) (measured with an individually developed analogue device placed in the circuit), current duration (s), effectiveness of stunning, grading of carcass. Correlations between these parameters and effectiveness were examined. Besides that, any correlation between the test parameters and impedance of head was examined. In 128 out of the 145 cases the stunning was effective (88.3%). Effectiveness was significantly related to current but not to other parameters such as voltage and duration of load. Impedance of head was not correlated with the size of the animal and the meat grading scores. Generally, it was concluded that the use of a single electrical parameter (e.g. a minimum current of 1.3 A) as a prerequisite of good stunning is not ideal.