Electroconvulsive therapy, depression, and cognitive outcomes: An Australian audit

ObjectivesWe sought to compare cognitive and other outcomes of 2 groups of mood disorder patients, those who received ECT and those who did not, from 2 private South Australian hospitals during a 12-month period.MethodsPatients were assessed at admission and discharge from hospital on 2 validated instruments: the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) and an abbreviated version of the Short-Form 36-item Health Status Questionnaire (SF-36).ResultsPatient scores on the majority of subscales of both the HoNOS and SF-36 indicated a positive response to either ECT or non-ECT. There was no significant difference in HoNOS depression score between the ECT and non-ECT groups upon discharge, despite the ECT group being significantly more depressed at admission. Cognitive functioning of those who received ECT did not change significantly from admission to discharge. However, they did not share the significant improvement in cognitive functioning of those depressed persons who had non-ECT treatment.ConclusionsECT treatment of depression was not associated with a deterioration of cognitive functioning.Laura J. Fisher, Robert D. Goldney, Peter F. Furze, Jody L. Williams, June Mattner and David J. McCleav