Patients' perspectives on electroconvulsive therapy: systematic review

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.

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