Leicester ECT Trial: Results in Schizophrenia

Abstract

SummaryAs part of the Leicester electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) study, the role of ECT in schizophrenia was investigated in a double-blind trial. The Present State Examination criteria for schizophrenia were fulfilled by 22 patients, of whom 19 gave consent and entered the trial. Neuroleptic medication was restricted during the trial period. Patients were randomly allocated to eight real ECT or eight simulated ECT. At the end of the four-week trial period, patients receiving real ECT showed a significantly greater improvement when measured on the Montgomery-Asberg Schizophrenia Scale (MASS), the visual analogue global psychopathology scale, and the depression scale. The differences on the MASS and visual analogue global psychopathology scale were not due to improvement in depressive symptoms. The superiority of real ECT was not demonstrated at the 12- and 28- week follow-up, when treatment was not controlled.