ECT-Related Anxiety: A Systematic Review. Issue 4 (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Obbels, Jasmien; Verwijk, Esmée; Bouckaert, Filip; Sienaert, Pascal
• Is Part Of: Journal of ECT. Volume 33:Issue 4(2017:Dec.)
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: ECT-related anxiety -- electroconvulsive therapy -- review; Electroconvulsive therapy -- Periodicals; Shock therapy -- Periodicals; Electroconvulsive Therapy -- Periodicals; Electroconvulsive therapy; Shock therapy; Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.89122
• DOI: 10.1097/YCT.0000000000000383
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1095-0680

Abstract

Abstract : Background: A significant proportion of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)–treated patients experience anxiety anticipating the treatment, often to such an extent that they refuse or discontinue a much-needed treatment. Despite its great impact on treatment adherence, anxiety in patients receiving ECT is underexposed in the scientific literature. Objectives: We aimed to review the prevalence and specific subjects of ECT-related anxiety and therapeutic interventions to reduce it. Methods: We performed a computerized search (EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO) for articles meeting the following inclusion criteria: (1) qualitative (interview) studies, quantitative (questionnaire) studies, or experimental (interventional) studies that (2) report on anxiety that is related to a planned, ongoing, or past ECT treatment. Results: Of 1160 search results, 31 articles were included. Electroconvulsive therapy–related anxiety is estimated to be present in 14% to 75% of patients and is most often linked to worries about memory impairment or brain damage. Only a few interventions (chlorpromazine, meprobamate, propofol, a talking-through technique, an information leaflet, and animal-assisted therapy) have been proposed to reduce patients' ECT-related anxiety. Conclusions: Electroconvulsive therapy–related anxiety is a highly prevalent phenomenon, and the literature provides little guidance for its clinical management. Most studies are of a low methodological quality and suffer from significant limitations, thereby hampering generalized conclusions. Given the clinical importance of ECT-related anxiety, further study on its nature and evolution through the course of treatment and on anxiety-reducing interventions is warranted.