Quality of life and function after electroconvulsive therapy.
BACKGROUND
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence in the UK has recommended limiting the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), partly because of the inadequacy of research into the effects of ECT on quality of life and function.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of ECT on function and quality of life, particularly as they relate to changes in mood and cognition in the month following this therapy.


METHODS
We measured changes in quality of life, function, mood and cognition in a prospective sample of 77 depressed patients given ECT.


RESULTS
All quality of life and function outcomes were improved at the 2-week and 4-week marks after ECT. Improvement in quality of life was related to mood, whereas improvement in instrumental activities of daily living function was related to improvement in global cognition.


CONCLUSIONS
Electroconvulsive therapy is associated with early improvement in function and quality of life. A restrictive attitude towards this therapy is not warranted on the basis of its effects on quality of life and function.
McCall
W Vaughn
WV
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157-1071, USA. vmccall@wfubmc.edu.
Dunn
Aaron
A
Rosenquist
Peter B
PB
D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life