NCT00870805

Ultrabrief Pulsewidth Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

A Controlled Study of Ultrabrief Pulsewidth ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy)

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 4
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 150 (actual)
• Sponsor: The University of New South Wales · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) remains essential to contemporary psychiatric practice and is one of the safest and most effective treatments available for depression. Despite modern advances in pharmacotherapy, about 15-20 per cent of all hospitalised patients receive treatment with ECT. Its use, however, is limited by concerns over associated cognitive side effects. Recent research has suggested that using an ultrabrief pulsewidth with ECT may greatly reduce cognitive side effects, while maintaining efficacy (Sackeim et al 2008). Preliminary results were positive for unilateral ECT, however, suggest that for bilateral ECT, dosing may need to be adjusted to preserve efficacy while reducing side effects. This study will examine the relative cognitive side effects and efficacy of right unilateral and bilateral ECT given with a standard pulsewidth or an ultrabrief pulsewidth. Some participants will also receive an MRI scan before and after ECT.

Conditions

• Major Depressive Disorder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	bilateral ultrabrief ECT	Bilateral ECT at 3-4 times seizure threshold with an ultrabrief pulse (0.3ms)
PROCEDURE	bilateral standard ECT	Bilateral ECT with at 1.5 times seizure threshold with a standard pulse (1.0ms)
PROCEDURE	right-unilateral ultrabrief ECT	Right-unilateral ECT at 6 times seizure threshold with an ultrabrief pulse (0.3ms)
PROCEDURE	right-unilateral standard ECT	Right-unilateral ECT with at 5 times seizure threshold with a standard pulse (1.0ms)

Timeline

• Start date: 2009-01-01
• Primary completion: 2013-01-01
• Completion: 2013-01-01
• First posted: 2009-03-27
• Last updated: 2013-02-27

Locations

3 sites across 1 country: Australia