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http://hdl.handle.net/11054/179
Title: | Right unilateral ECT at 6x seizure threshold: is it effective in the psychoses? |
Authors: | Little, John Munday, Jo Atkins, Martin |
Issue Date: | 2003 |
Publisher: | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |
Place of publication: | Hagerstown, MD |
Publication Title: | Journal of ECT |
Volume: | 19 |
Issue: | 3 |
Start Page: | 158 |
End Page: | 163 |
Abstract: | OBJECTIVE: To date, right unilateral electroconvulsive therapy administered at 6x seizure threshold (6x RUL-ECT) has been described in relation to unipolar depression alone. For clinicians who have developed an experience and confidence in bilateral ECT, the effectiveness of 6x RUL-ECT in other psychiatric disorders, particularly those who are severely ill, has remained untested and therefore unknown. This article describes the results of 6x RUL-ECT in a select series of patients with a nondepressive psychotic illness. METHOD: Six patients with psychotic disorders of nondepressive origin were selected from a recent 2-year retrospective review of 6x RUL-ECT practice. The clinical presentation, ECT parameters, and responses were recorded. RESULTS: Four patients with severe psychotic disorders, two of whom met broad criteria for catatonia, responded to an index course of 6x RUL-ECT. One psychogeriatric patient who had protracted inpatient mania continues to benefit from outpatient maintenance 6x RUL-ECT over 18 months. Two elderly males, in whom seizures were difficult to elicit and maintain, responded poorly. CONCLUSION: 6x RUL-ECT was effective in 4 patients with nondepressive, psychotic disorders. While clinically viable and although memory was not assessed, it is uncertain what advantage 6x RUL-ECT confers over a bilateral electrode placement. The real focus should remain on clinical responsivity. |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11054/179 |
ISSN: | 1095-0680 |
Internal ID Number: | 00163 |
Health Subject: | ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY ECT PSYCHOTIC ILLNESS NONDEPRESSIVE CATATONIA PSYCHOSES 6X RUL-ECT |
Type: | Journal Article Article |
Appears in Collections: | Research Output |
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