Short-Term Efficacy of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia

Background: About one third of patients with schizophrenia are treatment-resistant. The treatment options for these patients are limited. Objectives: To study the short-term efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Methods: 30 patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia were included. Patients were assessed at baseline, after 4, and after 6 sessions of electroconvulsive therapy using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Global Assessment of Functioning (GAS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scales were applied at baseline and at the end of ECT course. Results: As compared to baseline, the score on the BPRS changed significantly from 57.4 to 40.9 after 4 sessions (P<0.001) and further to 36.2 (P<0.001) at the end of 6 sessions. The score on the PANSS also showed a significant change from 86.7 at baseline to 70.7 after 4 sessions (P<0.001) and further to 65.6 at the end of 6 sessions (P<0.001). The significant change in score on the GAS and the CGI further shows that electroconvulsive therapy is effective in treatment-resistant Schizophrenia. Conclusions: A short course of electroconvulsive therapy leads to significant benefit in treatmentresistant schizophrenia (German J Psychiatry 2012; 15 (2): 44-49).