Continuation and maintenance ECT: a review of recent research.

Full Abstract

Continuation and maintenance electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is used to reduce the risk for relapse and recurrence of illness in patients who fare poorly with continuation and maintenance medication regimens. Despite the potential value of these ECT schedules, both are relatively neglected in clinical practice. This article therefore reviews the last decade of research on the subject. Although the research comprises mostly single and multiple case reports and small open studies, continuation and maintenance ECT does emerge as a safe and effective treatment for relapse- and recurrence-prone patients who have responded to a course of ECT.

Author information

Author/s: Andrade, Chittaranjan (C); Kurinji, S (S);

Affiliation: Department of Psychopharmacology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosiences, Bangalore, India. andrade(-atsign-)nimhans.kar.nic.in

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: The journal of ECT (J ECT), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Sep; vol 18 (issue 3) : pp 149-58

Dates: Created 2002/10/23; Completed 2002/12/20; Revised 2005/11/16;

PMID: 12394534, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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