Patients' perspectives on electroconvulsive therapy: systematic review.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:To ascertain patients' views on the benefits of and possible memory loss from electroconvulsive therapy. DESIGN:Descriptive systematic review. DATA SOURCES:Psychinfo, Medline, Web of Science, and Social Science Citation Index databases, and bibliographies. STUDY SELECTION:Articles with patients' views after treatment with electroconvulsive therapy. DATA EXTRACTION:26 studies carried out by clinicians and nine reports of work undertaken by patients or with the collaboration of patients were identified; 16 studies investigated the perceived benefit of electroconvulsive therapy and seven met criteria for investigating memory loss. DATA SYNTHESIS:The studies showed heterogeneity. The methods used were associated with levels of perceived benefit. At least one third of patients reported persistent memory loss. CONCLUSIONS:The current statement for patients from the Royal College of Psychiatrists that over 80% of patients are satisfied with electroconvulsive therapy and that memory loss is not clinically important is unfounded.

SUBMITTER: Rose D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC162130 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature