Abstract

Clinical studies are reviewed comparing the efficacy of ECT and sham ECT, ECT and neuroleptic drugs, and the effects of electrode placement in the therapy of patients with schizophrenia. The efficacy of ECT is greater in acutely ill patients, and combined with neuroleptics it elicits a better short-term outcome than drug treatment alone. No differential effects of electrode placement are noted. The need for more sophisticated evaluations is emphasized.

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