title: Tricyclic antidepressants versus electroconvulsive therapy: a review of the evidence for efficacy in depression.
abstract: The author examines the thesis that electroconvulsive therapy is superior to tricyclic antidepressants in treating nonpsychotic major depression. Every study published in English since 1960 comparing electroconvulsive therapy against tricyclics in treating this condition was reviewed. Because of numerous methodological weaknesses in the studies, the data is inadequate to support the claim that one treatment is superior to the other.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Providence Medical Center, Seattle, Washington.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piper
mesh_terms: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic