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Review
. 2022 Jan 27:31:e10.
doi: 10.1017/S2045796021000731.

A critique of narrative reviews of the evidence-base for ECT in depression

C F Meechan  1 , K R Laws  2 , A H Young  3 , D M McLoughlin  4 , S Jauhar  3
Affiliations
Review

A critique of narrative reviews of the evidence-base for ECT in depression

C F Meechan et al. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. .

Abstract

There has been recent debate regarding the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy in the treatment of depression. This has been based on narrative reviews that contradict existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses. In this special article, we highlight the mistakes that occur when interpreting evidence using narrative reviews, as opposed to conventional systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Keywords: Electroconvulsive therapy; depression; evidence-based medicine; meta-analysis.

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Conflict of interest statement

AHY paid lectures and advisory boards for the following companies with drugs used in affective and related disorders Astrazenaca, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Lundbeck, Sunovion, Servier, Livanova. No share holdings in pharmaceutical companies. Lead Investigator for Embolden Study (AZ), BCI Neuroplasticity Study and Aripiprazole Mania Study Investigator initiated studies from AZ, Eli Lilly, Lundbeck, Wyeth Grant funding (past and present): NIMH (USA); CIHR (Canada); NARSAD (USA); Stanley Medical Research Institute (USA); MRC (UK); Wellcome Trust (UK); Royal College of Physicians (Edin); BMA (UK); UBC-VGH Foundation (Canada); WEDC (Canada); CCS Depression Research Fund (Canada); MSFHR (Canada); NIHR (UK). Janssen (UK). DMM has received brain stimulation research grants from the NHS Health Technology Assessment Programme (UK), National Association for Research on Schizophrenia and Affective disorders (USA) and the Health Research Board (Ireland); and received speaker's honoraria from MECTA and Otsuka, and an honorarium from Janssen for participating in an esketamine advisory board meeting. SJ has received honoraria for talks given for Sunovian and KRL has received honoraria for talks he has given for Lundbeck. KRL and CFM have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Meta-analysis of ECT vs sECT trials for depression, included in Read and Bentall (2010).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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