Switching From Age-Based Stimulus Dosing to Dose Titration Protocols in Electroconvulsive Therapy: Empirical Evidence for Better Patient Outcomes With Lower Peak and Cumulative Energy Doses. Issue 3 (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: O'Neill-Kerr, Alex; Yassin, Anhar; Rogers, Stephen; Cornish, Janie
• Is Part Of: Journal of ECT. Volume 33:Issue 3(2017:Sep.)
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: dose titration -- ECT -- stimulus dosing; Electroconvulsive therapy -- Periodicals; Shock therapy -- Periodicals; Electroconvulsive Therapy -- Periodicals; Electroconvulsive therapy; Shock therapy; Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.89122
• DOI: 10.1097/YCT.0000000000000391
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1095-0680

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: The aim of this study was to test the proposition that adoption of a dose titration protocol may be associated with better patient outcomes, at lower treatment dose, and with comparable cumulative dose to that in patients treated using an age-based stimulus dosing protocol. Methods: This was an analysis of data assembled from archived records and based on cohorts of patients treated respectively on an age-based stimulus dosing protocol and on a dose titration protocol in the National Health Service in England. Results: We demonstrated a significantly better response in the patient cohort treated with dose titration than with age-based stimulus dosing. Peak doses were less and the total cumulative dose was less in the dose titration group than in the age-based stimulus dosing group. Conclusions: Our findings are consistent with superior outcomes in patients treated using a dose titration protocol when compared with age-based stimulus dosing in a similar cohort of patients.