title: Can cognitive behavioral therapy reduce relapse rates of depression after ECT? a preliminary study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to explore the potential of providing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) after an index course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for depression to improve long-term outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale were used to assess depression and treatment outcome for 6 patients who received 12 weeks of CBT after an index course and concurrent with a continuation course of ECT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients either maintained their response or showed decreased depressive symptoms at the 6-month post-index ECT evaluation. At the 9-month follow-up, 5 of 6 patients had BDI scores below their post-index ECT scores. The CGIs were rated "much improved" or "very much improved" by 5 patients at the termination of CBT. All 6 patients maintained or improved their CGIs at the 6-month follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results provide preliminary evidence that CBT after ECT is feasible and may extend the antidepressant effects ofECT.
authors.affiliation: Yale Depression Research Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fenton
authors.forename: Madonna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fasula
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ostroff
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sanacora
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome