Efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy combined with antipsychotic medication in treatment-resistant schizophrenia: a prospective, open trial.
This study examined the short-term efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) combined with antipsychotic medication in treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). Fifteen patients with TRS from an in-patient psychiatric rehabilitation unit participated. Patients completed a course of ECT consisting of 8 to 20 sessions, while their antipsychotic medications were continued throughout the study. Patients were assessed at baseline, 1 week, 1 month, and 2 months after their last ECT session. Assessment instruments included the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), Global Assessment Scale (GAS), Clinical Global Impression (CGI), Nurses' Observation Scale for In-Patient Evaluation, and occupational therapists' rating of the patients' functioning with respect to work, social, and leisure activities. Compared with the baseline assessment, at each posttreatment evaluation, patients showed statistically significant improvement in the GAS and CGI. In addition, they were significantly better in terms of BPRS and SANS scores, as well as work performance and social functioning at the 2-month post-ECT evaluation.
Department of Psychiatry, Chinese University Hong Kong, Prince Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China. tangwk@cuhk.edu.hk
Wai Kwong
WK
Tang
Gabor S
GS
Ungvari
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010890:Pirenzepine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D010890:Pirenzepine; D018967:Risperidone; D000077152:Olanzapine