Open Access

Efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy as a potential first‑choice treatment in treatment‑resistant depression (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Simona Trifu
    • Anca Sevcenco
    • Monica Stănescu
    • Ana Miruna Drăgoi
    • Mihai Bogdan Cristea
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: September 9, 2021     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.10716
  • Article Number: 1281
  • Copyright: © Trifu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a technique that has been used since 1938 to treat several psychiatric disorders as a replacement for chemically induced seizures. Despite its history of stigma, controversy and low accessibility, ECT is found to be beneficial and efficient in severe cases of depression where medication fails to bring results. Titration tables developed over time, based on evidenced‑based medicine, have made this treatment technique safe and, in some cases, the first choice of treatment. The aim of the review was to summarize the research conducted on the efficacy of ECT on major depressive disorder and variables studied such as technique, comorbidities and medication as well as the effects and outcomes of this procedure. At the same time, the application and correlations with other psychiatric and neurological disorders, including catatonia, agitation and aggression in individuals with dementia, schizophrenia, and epilepsy were assessed. There are no statistically demonstrated effects due to the fact that a small number of moderate‑quality studies have been published; however, the combination of ECT technique with standard medication and care, can improve patient outcome. Furthermore, with regard to ECT, widespread and robust volume changes in both cortical and subcortical regions have been shown. Antidepressant response and volumetric increases appear to be limited by the specific neuroplasticity threshold of each patient.
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November-2021
Volume 22 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Trifu S, Sevcenco A, Stănescu M, Drăgoi AM and Cristea MB: Efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy as a potential first‑choice treatment in treatment‑resistant depression (Review). Exp Ther Med 22: 1281, 2021.
APA
Trifu, S., Sevcenco, A., Stănescu, M., Drăgoi, A.M., & Cristea, M.B. (2021). Efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy as a potential first‑choice treatment in treatment‑resistant depression (Review). Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 22, 1281. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.10716
MLA
Trifu, S., Sevcenco, A., Stănescu, M., Drăgoi, A. M., Cristea, M. B."Efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy as a potential first‑choice treatment in treatment‑resistant depression (Review)". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 22.5 (2021): 1281.
Chicago
Trifu, S., Sevcenco, A., Stănescu, M., Drăgoi, A. M., Cristea, M. B."Efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy as a potential first‑choice treatment in treatment‑resistant depression (Review)". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 22, no. 5 (2021): 1281. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.10716