Electroconvulsive therapy in treatment-resistant depression and treatment-resistant schizophrenia

Erdos J, Riegelnegg M, Sawalha R
Record ID 32018013184
English
Authors' objectives: Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and schizophrenia (TRS) do not respond to standard therapies and require specialised treatment strategies. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one such treatment strategy, intended for use in treatment-resistant cases or when a rapid intervention is necessary, such as in suicidality. We investigated the safety and effectiveness of ECT in terms of suicide-related events, therapy response, remission rates, and side effects in TRD and TRS patients.
Authors' results and conclusions: Results indicate that adding ECT to antidepressants for TRD patients and adding ECT to standard therapies for TRS patients, improves response rates more than monotherapy with antidepressants or standard therapies alone, without significantly increasing the risks for serious adverse events such as somatisation and memory disorders.
Authors' recommendations: The evidence points to the need for further research, particularly regarding long-term effects, safety and effects compared to other standard treatment options.
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: https://aihta.at/page/bewertung-medizinischer-einzelleistungen-mel-2024/en
Year Published: 2024
URL for published report: https://eprints.aihta.at/1526/1/DSD_140.pdf
URL for additional information: https://eprints.aihta.at/1526/
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Full HTA
Country: Austria
MeSH Terms
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy
  • Schizophrenia, Treatment-Resistant
  • Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant
Keywords
  • Electroconvulsive therapy
  • treatment-resistant depression
  • treatment-resistant schizophrenia
Contact
Organisation Name: Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment
Contact Address: Garnisongasse 7/20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
Contact Name: office@aihta.at
Contact Email: office@aihta.at
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.