- Patients who underwent the treatment described it as ‘positive’ and ‘pleasant’
- One of the participant’s carers even said ‘it was the best thing’ his wife had
- Researchers believe the therapy is effective but underused due to its reputation
- Previous results show electric shock therapy has increased by 11% in four years
- This is thought to be due to improved patient access and a lack of alternatives
Alexandra Thompson Health Reporter For Mailonline
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Electric shock therapy may not be as bad as it sounds, new research reveals
Some 80 per cent of patients who have undergone the procedure say they would readily have it again.
While 70 per cent believe it is more effective than conventional medication.
When asked about their experience of electric shock treatment, also known as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), patient comments included ‘overall it was pleasant’, while a carer said ‘it was the best thing that my wife could have had’.
Study author Dr Latha Guruvaiah from the Tamil Nadu Medical Council in India, said: ‘Many treatment options are available now for psychiatric disorders but still ECT is considered as an effective treatment and has been found to be potential lifesaver in many cases.’
ECT is mainly used in patients with severe, life-threatening depression who have not responded to medication or therapy.
Electric shock therapy may not be as bad as it sounds – 80% would have it again, study finds
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WHAT IS ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY?
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is given under a general anaesthetic and involves using muscle relaxants.
It causes the muscles to twitch slightly and not convulse.
ECT’s mechanism is unclear.
It may involve changing blood flow patterns in the brain.
Some users find it hugely beneficial, while others report feeling violated.
Source: Mind
How the study was carried out
Researchers from the Tamil Nadu Medical Council in India analysed 30 patients with an average age of 62 who received ECT at Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust between January 2013 and December 2014.
Some 93 per cent of the participants were women, which is thought to reflect depression being more prevalent in females.
The patients or their carers completed questionnaires and were interviewed by the researchers to determine their experience of ECT.
Key findings
Results revealed 80 per cent of patients would readily have ECT again if necessary as they believe it is a useful treatment option.
Some 70 per cent of participants believe it improves symptoms quicker than drugs.
ELECTRIC SHOCK THERAPY IS ON THE RISE IN ENGLAND
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is on the rise in England to treat serious mental health conditions.
The controversial treatment was thought to have fallen out of favour, yet figures obtained via freedom of information acts back in April demonstrate its popularity.
The treatment involves sending an electric current through the brain to trigger an epileptic seizure that helps to relieve certain mental health symptoms.
ECT’s rise may be down to improved patient access, a lack of alternative treatments or simply the seemingly crude procedure’s effectiveness at easing severe mental health problems.
More than 22,600 ECT treatments were carried out in 2015-16 across four-fifths of the NHS’ mental health trusts – a rise of 11 per cent since four years earlier.
When asked about their experience, patient comments included ‘positive’, ‘scary imagination reduced by staff’, ‘staff were really professional and friendly and explain things at your own pace’ and ‘overall pleasant’.
Carer comments included ‘wish it had been started sooner’, ‘it was the best thing that my wife could have had at that time’ and ‘ECT was incredible, we were quite worried at first but the team assurances proved to correct’.
The results were published in the journal Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry.
What the researcher said
Dr Guruvaiah said: ‘ECT is a very effective but underused treatment partly due to the perception of the nature of this treatment.
‘This study illustrates that the overall experience and attitude of patients and carers on ECT treatment were positive.
‘Many treatment options are available now for psychiatric disorders but still ECT is considered as an effective treatment and has been found to be potential lifesaver in many cases.’
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