Volume 28, Issue 150, August 2024

Addressing patient concerns: Exploring Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in primary care: Review of the literature

Tymon Zatorski^1♦, Milena Szczepańska², Dominika Kabała³, Marcin Głód⁴, Adam Jaskulski⁵, Agata Zapałowska⁶, Michał Bielecki⁶

¹The Independent Group of Public Ambulatory Care Institutions Warsaw-Mokotów, Madalińskiego 13, 02-513 Warsaw, Poland
²Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
³University Clinical Centre of the Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1a, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland
⁴Masovian Bródnowski Hospital, Kondratowicza 8, 03-242 Warsaw, Poland
⁵The Independent Group of Public Ambulatory Care Institutions Warsaw-Ochota, Szczęśliwicka 36, 02-353 Warsaw, Poland
⁶John Paul II Independent Public Specialist Western Hospital, Daleka 11, 05-825, Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Poland

^♦Corresponding Author
The Independent Group of Public Ambulatory Care Institutions Warsaw- Mokotów, Madalińskiego 13, 02-513 Warsaw, Poland

ABSTRACT

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a proven treatment for severe mental health disorders, yet it remains misunderstood and stigmatized. This review explores ECT's historical context, mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and safety to address patient concerns and enhance primary care acceptance. ECT has evolved significantly since its early 20th-century origins, now employing advanced techniques that reduce cognitive and cardiac risks. The therapy works through neurochemical and neurophysiological changes, including controlled seizures that modulate neurotransmitter systems and neuroplasticity. ECT demonstrates high efficacy in treatment-resistant depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, with response rates for severe depression up to 90%. Recent FDA reclassification of ECT devices to Class II highlights its safety. Dispelling misconceptions about ECT is crucial for improving patient outcomes and expanding access to this essential therapy in primary care settings.

Keywords: Electroconvulsive therapy, depression, primary care, treatment resistant depression

Medical Science, 2024, 28, e119ms3430

PDF

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v28i150.e119ms3430

Published: 30 August 2024