Investigating the Effect of Midazolam on the Incidence of Restlessness and Agitation in Patients Undergoing Electroshock Therapy

Introduction: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the treatment methods for neuropsychiatric patients. were assigned to two groups by available selection method and envelope selection method. The intended intervention was the injection of 0.02 mg/kg of midazolam. Richmond Questionnaire (RASS) was used to evaluate restlessness. Data were analyzed in spss18 software with independent t-tests, U-Man-Whitney and chi-score at a significance level of 0.05. Materials and Methods: This double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 80 patients aged 18-75 years with ECT indication. The patients were selected by the available method and then the patients were allocated to two control and intervention groups through random block. In the control group, the patients were injected with 2 mg/kg of nesdonal, 0.5 mg/kg of atropine and 0.5 mg/kg of succinylcholine. In the intervention group, in addition to these drugs, the amount of 0.2 mg/kg of midazolam was injected. During 4 treatment sessions, the Richmond Questionnaire (RASS) was completed to assess restlessness immediately and one hour after ECT. Data were analyzed in spss18 software with independent t-tests, U-Man-Whitney and chi-score at a significance level of 0.05. Findings: In this study, 42 patients were in the intervention group and 38 patients were in the control group. The average changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly lower in the intervention group. Immediately after ECT, 68% and 44% of intervention and control group patients were awake and calm. The patients in the midazolam group had a better condition in terms of Richmond restlessness one hour after ECT (P=0.04). Midazolam is a relatively short-acting benzodiazepine drug as a pre-anesthetic drug and has sedative, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant effects. The present study was designed with the aim of investigating the effect of midazolam on the incidence of restlessness and agitation in patients undergoing electroshock therapy at 5 Azar Hospital in Gorgan in 1401.