Cognitive impairment in psychiatric patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy

Abstract

Introduction: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been represented as an effective and safe treatment choice for some psychiatric disorders. This research aimed to assess cognitive impairment in psychiatric patients who receive ECT. Methods: In a three-month follow-up prospective research, all of outpatient or inpatient cases admitted in psychiatric department affiliated to Babol University of Medical Sciences, North of Iran, have been examined. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Wechsler Memory Scale-fourth edition (WMS-IV) were used for data collection. These questionnaires were filled out at baseline, on the 1st and 3rd months after ECT. Results: Fifty patients with mean age 40.3 ± 14.3 years were recruited in the study. Bipolar mood disorder was the most frequent psychiatric disorder (42% of total). Depression score significantly decreased between pre-ECT time and the 3rd month after ECT (p = 0.001). No difference in MMSE and memory score measured in two time points was found (p > 0.05). MMSE score decreased on the first month, however, increased on the third month. Although WMS score decreased on the first month, it had an increase on the third month and reached to a level higher compared with pre ECT time. We didn't find correlation between mean WMS scores after treatment and the ECT dose (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Memory and cognitive impairment following ECT persists for limited period of time. Cognitive performance will be increased in the third month to a higher level, even more than the baseline values.

Keywords

• cognitive impairment
• memory loss
• depressive disorders
• electroconvulsive therapy