Electroconvulsive therapy may have more adverse effects than thought

"Electroconvulsive therapy could be causing a wider range of adverse effects when used to treat depression than previously understood, according to a paper that calls for the practice to be suspended pending more robust research. Although short- and long-term memory loss is widely known to result from ECT, the research identified 25 further concerning side effects, which included cardiovascular problems, fatigue and emotional blunting."

"Given that we still don't know if ECT is more effective than placebo, these startling new findings make it even more urgent that it be suspended pending a thorough investigation into both safety and efficacy. The research is so flawed and inconclusive that ECT would have absolutely no chance of obtaining MHRA approval in the UK, or FDA approval in the USA, if it were introduced today."

Electroconvulsive therapy can cause short- and long-term memory loss and at least 25 additional adverse effects including cardiovascular problems, fatigue and emotional blunting. ECT involves passing electricity through the brain under general anaesthesia to induce seizures, usually across six to 12 treatments. About 2,500 people receive ECT annually in the UK, mainly for treatment-resistant depression and for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and catatonia. A survey of 747 ECT patients and 201 relatives and friends reported 22.9% experienced heart problems such as arrhythmia, 53.9% had recurring headaches and 76.4% experienced emotional blunting. Some reported functional impairments linked to memory loss. Concerns about study quality and uncertain efficacy have prompted calls for suspension pending rigorous investigation.

Read at www.theguardian.com