The efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy in the treatment of schizophrenia. A comparative study.
The efficacy of ECT was investigated in a double-blind trial. Twenty-two patients with schizophrenia received trifluoperazine and were randomly allocated to receive eight real or eight simulated ECTs. In the first eight weeks, the group receiving real ECTs showed significantly more improvement as measured on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. However, the groups showed no significant differences from the twelfth week onwards. The superiority of real ECT was not confirmed at the end of six months.
Abraham
K R
KR
Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Kulhara
P
P
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D006801:Humans; D011897:Random Allocation; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D014268:Trifluoperazine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014268:Trifluoperazine