Naturalistic outcomes of continuation right unilateral ultrabrief ECT in major depression: a retrospective chart review.

Objective: Continuation treatment of major depression following an acute course of electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) may be often required to prevent relapse. Data on continuation phase of right unilateral ultrabrief ECT are sparse and there are doubts if it is inherently capable of relapse prevention.

Methods: All consecutive adult patients with major depression who received the first 'run' of continuation phase of right unilateral ultrabrief ECT over a 10-year period were routinely followed up.