[ECT. A critical review of meta-analyses].
BACKGROUND
This review is aimed to analize meta-analyses relating ECT in order to evaluate efficacy and safety of this tool compared to sham ECT, placebo as well as psychopharmacology.


METHODS
Systematic reviews cited in PubMed, using specific subsets.


RESULTS
The meta-analyses agree in outstanding the clinical effectiveness of ECT compared to other kinds of therapy. The main conclusion of the present work, which is related to the safety of this tool would like to reduce the warnings about ECT. These conclusions at present still lack of good quality evidence.


CONCLUSIONS
ECT nowadays is still a tool lacking of quality evidence, but it looks of relevant effectiveness and safety. Because of this, ECT as a technique should get more attention in clinical research and moreover in clinical practice.
Zambello
Francesco
F
Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari (APSS) di Trento, Ospedale S. Maria del Carmine, Rovereto, TN. francesco.zambello@apss.tn.it
Vaona
Alberto
A
D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic