Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: 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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