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. 2003 Jun 21;326(7403):1363.
doi: 10.1136/bmj.326.7403.1363.

Patients' perspectives on electroconvulsive therapy: systematic review

Diana Rose  1 , Pete Fleischmann, Til Wykes, Morven Leese, Jonathan Bindman
Affiliations

Patients' perspectives on electroconvulsive therapy: systematic review

Diana Rose et al. BMJ. .

Abstract

Objective: To ascertain patients' views on the benefits of and possible memory loss from electroconvulsive therapy.

Design: Descriptive systematic review.

Data sources: Psychinfo, Medline, Web of Science, and Social Science Citation Index databases, and bibliographies.

Study selection: Articles with patients' views after treatment with electroconvulsive therapy.

Data extraction: 26 studies carried out by clinicians and nine reports of work undertaken by patients or with the collaboration of patients were identified; 16 studies investigated the perceived benefit of electroconvulsive therapy and seven met criteria for investigating memory loss.

Data synthesis: The studies showed heterogeneity. The methods used were associated with levels of perceived benefit. At least one third of patients reported persistent memory loss.

Conclusions: The current statement for patients from the Royal College of Psychiatrists that over 80% of patients are satisfied with electroconvulsive therapy and that memory loss is not clinically important is unfounded.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Proportions of patients who would find electroconvulsive therapy helpful, by study. Lines indicate approximate 95% confidence intervals; size of box indicates precision. *Patient study
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Comment in

References

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    1. Royal College of Psychiatrists. Fact sheet on ECT. London: RCP, 1995.
    1. Freeman C. Patients' attitudes towards ECT. Psychopharmacol Bull 1986;22: 487-90.
    1. Freeman CP, Cheshire KA. Attitude studies on electroconvulsive therapy. Convulsive Ther 1986;2: 31-42. - PubMed
    1. Kennedy SH, Bagby RM. Efficacy and effectiveness in the antidepressant treatment of depression: beyond meta-analysis [editorial]. Can J Psychiatry 1996;4(10): 609-10. - PubMed

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