SynthesisThe Cochrane database of systematic reviews2000
Electroconvulsive therapy for schizophrenia.
Synthesis in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2000. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed, 39 citations in OpenAlex.
- Electroconvulsive therapy and its different indications.Dialogues in clinical neuroscience · 2008Review
- Treatment of the special patient with schizophrenia.Dialogues in clinical neuroscience · 2001Article
Corrections and comments
- Updated by
Authors and funding
1 author at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundElectroconvulsive therapy (ECT) involves the induction of a seizure (fit) for therapeutic purposes by the administration of a low frequency electrical stimulus shock via electrodes applied to the scalp. At present it is used for those with schizophrenia but its effects are unclear.
objectivesTo determine whether electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) results in clinically meaningful benefit with regard to global improvement, hospitalisation, changes in mental state, behaviour and functioning in those with schizophrenia. SEARCH STRATEGY: Electronic searches of Biological Abstracts (1982-1996), EMBASE (1980-1996), Medline (1966-1996), PsycLIT (1974-1996) and SCISEARCH (1996) were undertaken. The references of all identified studies were investigated. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised controlled trials that compared ECT with placebo, 'sham ECT', non-pharmacological interventions and antipsychotics for people with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or chronic mental disorder. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The reviewers extracted the data independently and analysed the data on an intention to treat basis. MAIN
resultsLess people with schizophrenia treated with ECT showed no improvement in general functioning when compared to those given placebo in the short term (OR 0.48 CI 99% 0.26-0.90). This effect, however, does not last. However, ECT is less effective than antipsychotic drug treatment for those with schizophrenia. Limited evidence exists to suggest that combining antipsychotic drugs and ECT increases the rate and extent of clinical improvement, in the short term, in one out of every five to six people. The evidence for the efficacy of ECT in the medium to long term is equivocal. Electroconvulsive therapy is also more effective than the now obsolete insulin coma treatment. REVIEWER'S
conclusionsThere is some evidence to support the use of ECT for those with schizophrenia for short term relief of symptoms. Electroconvulsive therapy may be advocated as an adjunct to antipsychotic medication for those with schizophrenia who show a limited response to medication alone but the evidence for this is not strong. In fact in spite of more than five decades of widespread clinical use, the administration of ECT to those with schizophrenia lacks a strong research base.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.