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Electroconvulsive therapy: a review on indications, methods, risks and medication

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

A Stevens ,
A Fischer ,
M Bartels  and
G Buchkremer
A Stevens
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Tübingen, Osianderstr 22, D-72076Tübingen, Germany
A Fischer
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Tübingen, Osianderstr 22, D-72076Tübingen, Germany
M Bartels
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Tübingen, Osianderstr 22, D-72076Tübingen, Germany
G Buchkremer
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Tübingen, Osianderstr 22, D-72076Tübingen, Germany
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Summary

This paper reviews and presents data of practical impact for those administering electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). In the first section, physical and physiological aspects of the stimulus as well as methods of stimulation are discussed. The second section deals with indications for ECT, efficacy and treatment modalities such as seizure duration, treatment frequency and total number of ECT applications. The last section is devoted to side effects, risks, comedication and comorbidity.

Keywords

ECTelectroconvulsive therapymedicationpredictive factorsdepressionmaniadementia
Type
Review
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 11 , Issue 4 , 1996 , pp. 165 - 174
Copyright
Copyright © Elsevier, Paris 1996

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