Efficacy of ECT in Depression: A Meta-Analytic Review : The Journal of ECT

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Original Article

Efficacy of ECT in Depression: A Meta-Analytic Review

Pagnin, Daniel MD, MSc; de Queiroz, Valéria MD, MSc; Pini, Stefano MD; Cassano, Giovanni Battista MD

Author Information

From the Department of Psychiatry, Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Biotechnology. University of Pisa, Italy

Received for publication August 20, 2003; accepted November 17, 2003.

Reprints: Dr. Daniel Pagnin, Department of Psychiatry, Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Biotechnology, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 67–56100. Pisa, Italy (e-mail: [email protected]).

The Journal of ECT 20(1):p 13-20, March 2004.

Abstract

Summary: 

This study analyzed the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in depression by means a meta-analytic review of randomized controlled trials that compared ECT with simulated ECT or placebo or antidepressant drugs and by a complementary meta-analytic review of nonrandomized controlled trials that compared ECT with antidepressants drugs. The review revealed a significant superiority of ECT in all comparisons: ECT versus simulated ECT, ECT versus placebo, ECT versus antidepressants in general, ECT versus TCAs and ECT versus MAOIs. The nonrandomized controlled trials also revealed a significant statistical difference in favor of ECT when confronted with antidepressants drugs. Data analyzed suggest that ECT is a valid therapeutic tool for treatment of depression, including severe and resistant forms.

© 2004 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

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