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. 2013 May 30;12(1):17.
doi: 10.1186/1744-859X-12-17.

Electroconvulsive therapy use in adolescents: a systematic review

Nádia Nr Lima  1 , Vânia B Nascimento, Jorge Ac Peixoto, Marcial M Moreira, Modesto Lr Neto, José C Almeida, Carlos Ac Vasconcelos, Saulo A Teixeira, Jucier G Júnior, Francisco Tc Junior, Diego Dm Guimarães, Aline Q Brasil, Jesus S Cartaxo, Marco Akerman, Alberto Oa Reis
Affiliations

Electroconvulsive therapy use in adolescents: a systematic review

Nádia Nr Lima et al. Ann Gen Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Background: Considered as a moment of psychological vulnerability, adolescence is remarkably a risky period for the development of psychopathologies, when the choice of the correct therapeutic approach is crucial for achieving remission. One of the researched therapies in this case is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The present study reviews the recent and classical aspects regarding ECT use in adolescents.

Methods: Systematic review, performed in November 2012, conformed to the PRISMA statement.

Results: From the 212 retrieved articles, only 39 were included in the final sample. The reviewed studies bring indications of ECT use in adolescents, evaluate the efficiency of this therapy regarding remission, and explore the potential risks and complications of the procedure.

Conclusions: ECT use in adolescents is considered a highly efficient option for treating several psychiatric disorders, achieving high remission rates, and presenting few and relatively benign adverse effects. Risks can be mitigated by the correct use of the technique and are considered minimal when compared to the efficiency of ECT in treating psychopathologies.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart showing study selection for the review.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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