title: Efficacy of ECT in depression: a meta-analytic review.
abstract: This study analyzed the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in depression by means a meta-analytic review of randomized controlled trials that compared ECT with simulated ECT or placebo or antidepressant drugs and by a complementary meta-analytic review of nonrandomized controlled trials that compared ECT with antidepressants drugs. The review revealed a significant superiority of ECT in all comparisons: ECT versus simulated ECT, ECT versus placebo, ECT versus antidepressants in general, ECT versus TCAs and ECT versus MAOIs. The nonrandomized controlled trials also revealed a significant statistical difference in favor of ECT when confronted with antidepressants drugs. Data analyzed suggest that ECT is a valid therapeutic tool for treatment of depression, including severe and resistant forms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Biotechnology. University of Pisa, Italy. d.pagnin@psico.med.unipi.it
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pagnin
authors.forename: Valéria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: de Queiroz
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pini
authors.forename: Giovanni Battista
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Cassano
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D006801:Humans; D010919:Placebos; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010919:Placebos