Extract

Background

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) involves the induction of a seizure by the administration of an electrical stimulus via electrodes usually placed bilaterally on the scalp and was introduced as a treatment for schizophrenia in 1938. However, ECT is a controversial treatment with concerns about long-term side effects such a memory loss. Therefore, it is important to determine its clinical efficacy and safety for people with schizophrenia who are not responding to their treatment.

Objectives

Our primary objective was to assess the effects (benefits and harms) of ECT for people with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Our secondary objectives were to determine whether ECT produces a differential response in those treated with unilateral compared with bilateral ECT, long (more than 12 sessions) compared with a short course ECT, continuation compared with maintenance ECT, well-defined treatment-resistant schizophrenia compared to less well-defined treatment-resistant schizophrenia (who would be expected to have a greater affective component to their illness).

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