Weekly ECT in Geriatric Depression.
Fifteen elderly depressed psychiatric inpatients were randomly assigned to receive either standard three-times-weekly electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or once-weekly ECT. Outcome measures included cognitive assessment and antidepressant response. Although both groups improved with treatment, the three-times-weekly group improved substantially more quickly. There was no difference in cognitive effect between the two groups. We conclude that the traditional three-times-weekly schedule of ECT may optimally balance speed of antidepressant response and cognitive impairment.
Kellner
Charles H.
CH
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
Monroe
Russell R.
RR
Pritchett
John
J
Jarrell
Mark P.
MP
Bernstein
Hilary J.
HJ
Burns
Carol M.
CM