Objective: The aims of this study were to review the practice of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in Belgium and to compare it with the practice of ECT a decade ago.
Methods: A 30-item questionnaire on the practice of ECT was sent to all institutions providing ECT. Results were compared with the results of a survey performed in 2003.
Results: In 2013 to 2014, ECT was performed in 13.7% of all psychiatric services, equaling 1 ECT unit per 584,187 inhabitants. Fifteen of the 19 psychiatric services (78.94%) providing ECT replied to the questionnaire. Practice of ECT has improved significantly.
Limitations: This questionnaire study relies upon answers given by psychiatrists and did not audit actual practices.
Conclusions: The past decade, Belgium has witnessed significant changes in the practice of ECT. The number of facilities providing ECT almost halved adding to the growing expertise of fewer but larger ECT facilities. A possible down side to specialization is a potential diminution of the availability of ECT, requiring adequate referral policies in hospitals without ECT facilities. Although the practice significantly improved, continuous education is needed.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/YCT.0000000000000260 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Mental Health-Related Disability Days and Costs Among Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression Initiated on Esketamine Nasal Spray and Conventional Therapies in the USA.
Drugs Real World Outcomes
January 2025
Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC, a Johnson & Johnson company, Titusville, NJ, USA.
Introduction: Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is related to disproportionate unemployment and productivity burden in the USA. The current study describes real-world mental health (MH)-related disability days and costs of patients with TRD initiated on esketamine nasal spray or conventional therapies in the USA.
Methods: Adults with TRD were selected from Merative™ MarketScan Commercial database (from January 2016 to January 2023) and classified into four cohorts (esketamine, ECT [electroconvulsive therapy], TMS [transcranial magnetic stimulation], and SGA [second-generation antipsychotics] augmentation) based on therapy initiated (index date) on/after 5 March 2019 (esketamine approval date for TRD).
Individual on Death Row Receiving Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) for Catatonia: A Case Report.
J ECT
November 2024
Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is underused, logistically challenging for those who are justice-involved, and laced with ethical problems for those on death row. Herein we describe a case of a man without history of long-standing psychiatric illness who, after more than 15 years on death row, was hospitalized for altered mental status. After medical stabilization, the altered mental status persisted.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeuromodulation Strategies in Lifelong Bipolar Disorder: A Narrative Review.
Behav Sci (Basel)
December 2024
Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazza Aldo Moro, 100165 Rome, Italy.
Bipolar disorder is a debilitating psychiatric condition characterized by recurrent episodes of mania and depression, affecting millions worldwide. While pharmacotherapy remains the cornerstone of treatment, a significant proportion of patients exhibit inadequate response or intolerable side effects to conventional medications. In recent years, neuromodulation techniques have emerged as promising adjunctive or alternative treatments for bipolar disorder.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFComparative efficacy of multiple non-invasive brain stimulation to treat major depressive disorder in older patients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis study based on randomized controlled trials.
Psychiatry Res
February 2025
Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College; Institute of Neurological Diseases, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, Sichuan, China. Electronic address:
Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is prevalent among older patients and is frequently associated with cognitive decline and a reduced quality of life. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques show promise for treating MDD, but their comparative efficacy and safety older populations remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and cognitive effects of various NIBS techniques in treating MDD in older patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFParkinsonian Syndrome Diagnosed via Novel Alpha-Synuclein Skin Biopsy in a Patient Presenting With Catatonic Symptoms.
Cureus
November 2024
Psychiatry, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, USA.
The differential diagnosis of neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders, particularly when symptoms overlap significantly, poses a substantial challenge in clinical practice. Parkinson's disease (PD), Lewy body dementia, and catatonia are distinct conditions that can present with similar motor and cognitive symptoms, complicating accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. We report the case of a 45-year-old male patient who presented for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) evaluation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!