title: Stimulus characteristics in electroconvulsive therapy. A pragmatic review.
abstract: The process of normalization electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) requires, among other actions, disseminating the latest information on this technique. One of the most complex aspects is the electrical stimulus, whose knowledge should be spread and put into practice. In this paper we review the available information about frequency and number of ECT sessions, and efficacy of each electrode placement. We also present two approaches to determine the ECT charge: stimulus titration versus age-based method; and the limitations of the summary metrics of charge, being necessary to expand our knowledge of the parameters that configure the stimulus: duration, current amplitude frequency and pulse width.
authors: Hospital Universitario-Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), España. Electronic address: fjavisanzf@gmail.com.
authors: Francisco Javier
authors: FJ
authors: Sanz-Fuentenebro
mesh_terms: D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans
keywords: Amplitud de pulso; Carga; Charge; Current amplitude; Electroconvulsive therapy; Frecuencia; Frequency; Intensidad; Pulse Width; Terapia electroconvulsiva