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Original ArticleOpen Access
Effects of Twice- Versus Thrice-weekly Electroconvulsive Therapy in Schizophrenia
Chanpattana W 
,
M ,
Chakrabhand S ,
Kitaroonchai W ,
Choovanichvong S ,
Prasertsuk Y
,
M ,
Chakrabhand S ,
Kitaroonchai W ,
Choovanichvong S ,
Prasertsuk Y Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been used to treat a variety of psychiatric disorders
since 1938. In clinical practice, a schedule of administration varies greatly and definitive guidelines
are not available. The disparity of treatment schedules may influence the rate of response and the
duration of morbidity and hospital stay, as well as cognitive adverse effects. The authors conducted
a retrospective, comparative study of twice-weekly versus thrice-weekly ECT schedules in ECTresponder
schizophrenic patients. Forty-three patients received acute treatment with bilateral
ECT and flupenthixol (12-24 mg/d). Outcome measures were the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale,
Global Assessment of Functioning, and the Mini-Mental-State Exam.
The thrice-weekly ECT patient group (N = 21) had shorter duration of morbidity and more
rapid response than the twice-weekly ECT patient group (N = 22). Twice-weekly ECT treatment
is as equally effective as thrice-weekly schedule regarding the degree of improvement. There were no
significant differences in the degree of improvement and the cognitive impairment at the end of the
study.
Key word : ECT, Schizophrenia, Comparative Study, Twice-weekly ECT Treatment, Thriceweekly ECT Treatment
since 1938. In clinical practice, a schedule of administration varies greatly and definitive guidelines
are not available. The disparity of treatment schedules may influence the rate of response and the
duration of morbidity and hospital stay, as well as cognitive adverse effects. The authors conducted
a retrospective, comparative study of twice-weekly versus thrice-weekly ECT schedules in ECTresponder
schizophrenic patients. Forty-three patients received acute treatment with bilateral
ECT and flupenthixol (12-24 mg/d). Outcome measures were the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale,
Global Assessment of Functioning, and the Mini-Mental-State Exam.
The thrice-weekly ECT patient group (N = 21) had shorter duration of morbidity and more
rapid response than the twice-weekly ECT patient group (N = 22). Twice-weekly ECT treatment
is as equally effective as thrice-weekly schedule regarding the degree of improvement. There were no
significant differences in the degree of improvement and the cognitive impairment at the end of the
study.
Key word : ECT, Schizophrenia, Comparative Study, Twice-weekly ECT Treatment, Thriceweekly ECT Treatment
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