Practice of electroconvulsive therapy at University Hospital, the University of Tokushima School of Medicine from 1975 to 1997.

BACKGROUND

In Western nations the effect of ECT has been re-evaluated since the 1970s, while reports on ECT are few in Japan.

METHODS

The sample included 3,067 patients admitted to Tokushima University Hospital between 1975 and 1997. Hospital charts were reviewed retrospectively for ECT.

RESULTS

ECT was carried out on 6.03% of all subjects; 11.97% of patients with schizophrenia, 4.88% with manic depressive psychosis, 7.44% with atypical psychosis and 3.27% with psychogenic reactions. The remission rate from ECT was 68.11% of all subjects; 59.85% with schizophrenia, 100% with manic depressive psychosis, 100% with atypical psychosis and 92.0% with psychogenic reactions. Patients averaged 10.26 treatments. ECT had been administered mainly to patients who had responded poorly to pharmacotherapy and to patients who required rapid improvement of life-threatening symptoms. ECT was highly effective for symptoms as excitement, suicidal tendencies and stupor. Side effects were claimed by 36.77% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

ECT is suggested to be a useful therapeutic modality in current psychiatric practice.