Patient and Family Perspectives of Electroconvulsive Therapy

Correlation with Outcome

Abstract

We surveyed 25 patients about to undergo electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and one relative of each patient for their attitudes, knowledge, and opinions about ECT; and then resurveyed them after the course of ECT. Patients were rated with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale or Young Mania Rating Scale, based on diagnosis, before and after ECT. Patients and family members had highly positive attitudes toward ECT both before and after treatment, and after the course felt strongly that the ECT was beneficial. Baseline depression severity gave a high correlation with positive post-ECT attitudes.