Stimulus dose-titration in ECT: a 2-year clinical experience

Convuls Ther. 1994 Jun;10(2):171-6.

Abstract

One hundred and thirty-four patients referred for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) over a 2-year period underwent standardized stimulus dose-titration. No significant adverse events were associated with the dose-titration procedure. Our data demonstrate that seizure threshold increases with age (p = 0.0001) and is higher with bilateral electrode placement (p = 0.0001). Contrary to other studies, our data show the effect of gender is not statistically significant (p = 0.54). If consensus regarding optimal dosing strategies relative to seizure threshold can be achieved, dose-titration may be adopted as a clinically useful step in optimizing ECT technique.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy / adverse effects
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy / standards*
  • Electrodes
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Seizures / physiopathology
  • Sex Factors