EFFECTS OF ELECTRO CONVULSIVE THERAPY ON COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS IN PATIENTS OF DEPRESSIVE EPISODE

Electro Convulsive Therapy

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine the effect of Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT) on cognitive functions in patients of depressive episode.

Design and Setting: It was an observational analytical study conducted in Departments of Psychiatry Military Hospital Rawalpindi and the Naval Hospital (PNS Shifa) Karachi.

Methodology: Fifty-five patients with depressive episode who were to undergo ECT treatment were included. They were administered translated versions of Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) 24 hours before first ECT and 3 hours after first, second, fourth and sixth ECT and one month after the last ECT. Pre ECT cognitive functions were compared with those after subsequent ECTs. Data was compiled and analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 10.0 calculating mean values and p-value for determining the significance of difference which was set at 0.05.

Results: Mean age of the subjects was 29 years. Thirty-nine (71%) were males, 16 (29%) were females; 24 (44%) were taking tricyclic antidepressants as compared to 31 (56%) who were on other antidepressants.  ECT had a significant effect on registration and recall of memory in the depressed patients who underwent six ECTs given by bilateral electrode placement and this persisted one-month after the last ECT. There was no significant effect of ECT on orientation, attention and concentration component of cognitive functions one month after last ECT. Language functions including comprehension and articulation remained unaffected.

Conclusion: This study finds no persistent cognitive impairment after 30 days in patients treated with ECT, except for a decline in registration and recall aspects of short term memory.