Trends in use of electroconvulsive therapy in South London from 1949 to 2006.

Objectives: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remains the most acutely effective treatment for severe depression, but its use has declined since its introduction more than 70 years ago. To provide some historical perspective on changes in ECT practice, the objective of the present study was to identify trends in ECT practice in selected teaching hospitals in South London, UK, between 1949 and 2006.

Methods: Annual rates of ECT for 1949-1970 were estimated from the contemporary hospital reports of the Maudsley and Bethlem Royal hospitals in South London, UK.