what is an index treatment course of ect

What is an index series of ECT?

This initial acute treatment is known as an "index series" or a "course" of ECT. Relapse after a positive response to ECT is common. Most frequently, prevention of relapse is accomplished through the use of medication but continuation ECT has also been shown effective for the prevention of illness relapse.

What is the difference between index course and continuous electroconvulsive therapy?

An index course is we give the initial series of treatments to relieve acute symptoms of the illness. Continuation electroconvulsive therapy: A course that begins after the index course, lasts up to 6 months and prevents relapse of the episode (return of the symptoms to full syndromal criteria before the end of the natural duration of the illness).

What is ECT (electroconvulsive therapy)?

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is most often used in cases of severe, intractable, hard to treat (treatment-resistant) depression. Generally, ECT is a short-term treatment where the patient receives 6-12 treatments over the course of 2-4 weeks. advertisement. However, in some cases continuation ECT or maintenance ECT is used.

What is continuation ECT (ECT)?

Continuation ECT is electroconvulsive therapy continued for approximately the six months following the initial index series.1 Continuation ECT involves a treatment once every 1-6 weeks.2 Continuation ECT is typically used for patients who have initially positively responded to ECT and can give informed consent for its further use.

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What is the typical course of ECT?

People undergoing ECT need multiple treatments. The number needed to successfully treat severe depression can range from 4 to 20, but most people need a total of 6 to 12 treatments. The treatments are usually given three times a week — Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

What are the two main types of ECT treatment?

Types of ECT In bilateral ECT, electrodes are placed on either side of your head. The treatment affects your entire brain. In unilateral ECT, one electrode is placed on the top of your head.

How many treatments does electroconvulsive therapy require?

A patient typically receives ECT two or three times a week for a total of six to 12 treatments, depending on the severity of symptoms and how quickly the symptoms respond to the treatment.

How many rounds of ECT is normal?

Typically, ECT (whether inpatient or outpatient) is given two to three times a week for a total of six to twelve sessions. Some patients may need more or fewer treatments. These sessions improve depression in 70 to 90 percent of patients, a response rate much higher than that of antidepressant drugs.

How long can you have maintenance ECT?

Maintenance ECT involves getting treatments every two weeks to every month, usually for a period of six months to a year. But patients have gone on maintenance ECT for up to three years, depending on their response.

When do you stop ECT treatment?

However, after acute response to ECT, the most common clinical practice is to stop ECT and to use only medications as continuation therapy28 despite the fact that some patients who undergo ECT have not responded to medications or psychotherapy before ECT.

How many sessions of ECT can you have?

ECT is usually given twice a week for 3-6 weeks, meaning you might have around 6-12 sessions. You should be assessed after each treatment to see if another one is necessary, or isn't advisable. ECT tends to provide short-term improvements, so it can be helpful to try other types of treatments after having it.

Can ECT work after one treatment?

Results. Many people begin to notice an improvement in their symptoms after about six treatments with electroconvulsive therapy. Full improvement may take longer, though ECT may not work for everyone. Response to antidepressant medications, in comparison, can take several weeks or more.

What happens after first ECT treatment?

After the Procedure When you awaken, you may experience a period of disorientation lasting from a few minutes to several hours. Headaches, jaw pain, and muscle soreness may occur. ECT requires a series of treatments, often initiated two to three times a week for a few weeks and then the frequency is tapered down.

How long does a course of ECT take?

Typically, treatments are given two to three times a week for three to six weeks, although the exact course of treatment depends on the nature of the illness and the person's response to treatment. The person should be re-assessed after every session of ECT. Generally, symptoms start to improve after two sessions.

What happens when ECT doesn't work?

If nothing else has helped, including ECT, and you are still severely depressed, you may be offered neurosurgery for mental disorder (NMD), deep brain stimulation (DBS) or vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). This information was published in July 2019. We will revise it in 2022.

Does ECT damage the brain?

The review of literature and present evidence suggests that ECT has a demonstrable impact on the structure and function of the brain. However, there is a lack of evidence at present to suggest that ECT causes brain damage.

What is ECT used for?

ECT is used to treat: Severe depression, particularly when accompanied by detachment from reality (psychosis), a desire to commit suicide or refusal to eat. Treatment-resistant depression, a severe depression that doesn't improve with medications or other treatments. Severe mania, a state of intense euphoria, agitation or hyperactivity ...

What is ECT in medical terms?

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure, done under general anesthesia, in which small electric currents are passed through the brain, intentionally triggering a brief seizure. ECT seems to cause changes in brain chemistry that can quickly reverse symptoms of certain mental health conditions.

Why is electroconvulsive therapy used?

Why it's done. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can provide rapid, significant improvements in severe symptoms of several mental health conditions. ECT is used to treat: Severe depression, particularly when accompanied by detachment from reality (psychosis), a desire to commit suicide or refusal to eat. Treatment-resistant depression, ...

How often do you get ECT?

In the United States, ECT treatments are generally given two to three times weekly for three to four weeks — for a total of six to 12 treatments. Some doctors use a newer technique called right unilateral ultrabrief pulse electroconvulsive therapy that's done daily on weekdays.

How long after ECT can you drive?

However, some people may be advised not to return to work, make important decisions, or drive until one to two weeks after the last ECT in a series, or for at least 24 hours after a single treatment during maintenance therapy.

Is it safe to take ECT?

Risks. Although ECT is generally safe, risks and side effects may include: Confusion. Immediately after treatment, you may experience confusion, which can last from a few minutes to several hours. You may not know where you are or why you're there. Rarely, confusion may last several days or longer.

What is ECT in Catatonia?

NICE Recommendations. NICE recommends using electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) only to attain quick and short-term improvement of severe symptoms if an adequate trial of other options has not been effective and/or when the condition is potentially life-threatening, in individuals with: Catatonia.

What are the therapeutic effects of electroconvulsive therapy?

Therapeutic effects are greatest in severe depressive disorders, especially those in which there is marked weight loss, early-morning waking, retardation, and delusions. Delusions and (to a lesser extent) retardation distinguish patients who respond to electroconvulsive therapy. The following table summarizes the findings from ...

What are the considerations for electroconvulsive therapy?

Other considerations for the first-line use of electroconvulsive therapy involve the patient’s medical status, treatment history, and treatment preference. For example, in patients with postpartum psychosis, where quick recovery is essential for both the baby and the mother.

How long does electroconvulsive therapy last?

Continuation electroconvulsive therapy: A course that begins after the index course, lasts up to 6 months and prevents relapse of the episode (return of the symptoms to full syndromal criteria before the end of the natural duration of the illness).

Why do people use electroconvulsive therapy?

The most common use of electroconvulsive therapy is with patients who do not improve with other treatments. Intolerance of side effects, deterioration in the psychiatric condition, or the appearance of suicidality are other reasons to consider the use of electroconvulsive therapy.

Is electroconvulsive therapy a primary intervention?

Electroconvulsive therapy is a major treatment in psychiatry with well-defined indications, not to be reserved for use only as a “last resort”. The speed and efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy are factors that influence its use as a primary intervention.

How long does ECT last?

Generally, ECT is a short-term treatment where the patient receives 6-12 treatments over the course of 2-4 weeks. However, in some cases, continuation ECT or maintenance ECT is used. These two therapies continue ECT beyond the initial 6-12 sessions used in acute treatment.

What is maintenance ECT?

Maintenance ECT consists of ECT treatments given infrequently over a long period of time after the index series and continuation ECT. The goal of maintenance ECT is to prevent the reoccurrence of the mental illness.

Why do people need ECT?

Maintenance ECT: Why Some People Need Continuation ECT. Electroconvulsive therapy, once known as shock therapy, is a safe and effective treatment for depression and other mental illnesses. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is most often used in cases of severe, intractable, hard to treat (treatment-resistant) depression.

Is ECT effective for relapse?

Relapse after a positive response to ECT is common. Most frequently, prevention of relapse is accomplished through the use of medication but continuation ECT has also been shown effective for the prevention of illness relapse.

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• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure, done under general anesthesia, in which small electric currents are passed through the brain, intentionally triggering a brief seizure. ECT seems to cause changes in brain chemistry that can quickly reverse symptoms of certain mental health conditions. ECT often works when other treatments are unsucce...

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