Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: A major concern in the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for depression is the potential long-term harm on cognitive (memory) function. Although evidence from controlled clinical trials suggest that memory impairment may not last over six months subjective reports of long-lasting memory loss have been discovered, with long-lasting memory loss ranging from 29% to 79%. Results from systematic reviews of trials with long-term within subjects, pre-ECT and post-ECT neuropsychological test data have thus been called upon.
Objectives: To present preliminary results from included non-randomized (non-RCT) trials, concerning long-term (>6 months) cognitive functioning after ECT for depression, registered Cochrane review, using a novel, integrative methodological approach.
Methods: A broad systematic literature search on ECT for depression was conducted. Medline, PsycINFO, Cinahl, SveMed$+$, Cochrane Central, CCDAN-CTR, Embase, British Nursing Index and Ovid Nursing databases were searched. All identified non-RCTs concerning ECT administered to adults (age over 15 and below 65 years, at baseline) for major depressive disorder (MDD) with a within subjects pre-ECT and post-ECT neuropsychological testing of cognitive (memory) function were full-texted screened. Mixed diagnostic populations (e.g. bipolar disorder, schizophrenia) and other disorders where MDD data were not separable were excluded.
Results: Overall 132 non-RCT studies concerning ECT and cognitive functioning were screened and 68 were identified as containing neuropsychological tests to be examined. This yielded only 22 full text to be included. Main reasons for exclusions were mixed diagnostic study sample and old age (over 65 years), but also use of non-standardized cognitive instruments and insufficient data report. Diversity of neuropsychological test batteries for verbal, non-verbal, autobiographical and subjective memory makes meta-analyses and aggregation of the study data almost impossible.
Conclusion: In spite of the seemingly abundance of non-RCT trials concerned with ECT for depression and cognitive functioning, long-term neuropsychological data for specifically ECT and MDD are still very sparse.
Objectives: To present preliminary results from included non-randomized (non-RCT) trials, concerning long-term (>6 months) cognitive functioning after ECT for depression, registered Cochrane review, using a novel, integrative methodological approach.
Methods: A broad systematic literature search on ECT for depression was conducted. Medline, PsycINFO, Cinahl, SveMed$+$, Cochrane Central, CCDAN-CTR, Embase, British Nursing Index and Ovid Nursing databases were searched. All identified non-RCTs concerning ECT administered to adults (age over 15 and below 65 years, at baseline) for major depressive disorder (MDD) with a within subjects pre-ECT and post-ECT neuropsychological testing of cognitive (memory) function were full-texted screened. Mixed diagnostic populations (e.g. bipolar disorder, schizophrenia) and other disorders where MDD data were not separable were excluded.
Results: Overall 132 non-RCT studies concerning ECT and cognitive functioning were screened and 68 were identified as containing neuropsychological tests to be examined. This yielded only 22 full text to be included. Main reasons for exclusions were mixed diagnostic study sample and old age (over 65 years), but also use of non-standardized cognitive instruments and insufficient data report. Diversity of neuropsychological test batteries for verbal, non-verbal, autobiographical and subjective memory makes meta-analyses and aggregation of the study data almost impossible.
Conclusion: In spite of the seemingly abundance of non-RCT trials concerned with ECT for depression and cognitive functioning, long-term neuropsychological data for specifically ECT and MDD are still very sparse.