Patients' perspectives on electroconvulsive therapy: systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain patients' views on the benefits of and possible memory loss from electroconvulsive therapy.


METHODS
Descriptive systematic review.


METHODS
Psychinfo, Medline, Web of Science, and Social Science Citation Index databases, and bibliographies.


METHODS
Articles with patients' views after treatment with electroconvulsive therapy.


METHODS
26 studies carried out by clinicians and nine reports of work undertaken by patients or with the collaboration of patients were identified; 16 studies investigated the perceived benefit of electroconvulsive therapy and seven met criteria for investigating memory loss.


RESULTS
The studies showed heterogeneity. The methods used were associated with levels of perceived benefit. At least one third of patients reported persistent memory loss.


CONCLUSIONS
The current statement for patients from the Royal College of Psychiatrists that over 80% of patients are satisfied with electroconvulsive therapy and that memory loss is not clinically important is unfounded.
Rose
Diana
D
Service User Research Enterprise, PO34, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF. d.rose@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Fleischmann
Pete
P
Wykes
Til
T
Leese
Morven
M
Bindman
Jonathan
J
D001294:Attitude to Health; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction