A study of the efficacy and safety of electroconvulsive therapy in adolescents with major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation
10.3969/j.issn.1002-0152.2025.03.003
- VernacularTitle:电休克疗法对伴有自杀意念重性抑郁障碍青少年的疗效与安全性研究
- Author:
Wei LI
1
;
Ruonan DU
;
Haipeng CAI
;
Xiaoxiao GAO
;
Jiaqi SONG
;
Jinghui TONG
;
Xiaoxue YANG
Author Information
1. 北京回龙观医院五科(北京 100096)
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Adolescents;
Electroconvulsive therapy;
Major depressive disorder;
Suicidal ideation;
Efficacy;
Safety;
Cognitive function
- From:
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases
2025;51(3):142-148
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the effectiveness and safety of electroconvulsive therapy(ECT)in reducing suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms of major depressive disorder patients,as well as its effect on cognitive function.Methods A total of 160 adolescent patients with major depressive disorder were recruited for this study.The ECT group(n=81)received conventional antidepressant medication combined with 8 sessions of electroconvulsive therapy,and the control group(n=79)received conventional antidepressant medication only.Depressive symptoms,suicidal ideation,and cognitive functioning were assessed using 17-item Hamilton rating scale for depression(HAMD-17)and self-rating idea of suicide scale(SIOSS),at baseline(before ECT),after ECT,and at 2 and 6 weeks after treatment.The Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA)was used to evaluate the cognitive function of the patients,and the patients were followed up for side effects such as dizziness and nausea.Results Generalized estimating equation(GEE)analysis of HAMD-17 and SIOSS scores showed significant group×time interaction effects(P<0.01).Both groups exhibited a reduction in HAMD-17 scores before and after treatment(scores at four time points:ECT group 24.59±4.56 vs.13.25±4.32 vs.6.20±1.95 vs.3.62±2.04,control group 23.48±3.66 vs.15.42±3.11 vs.10.10±2.05 vs.4.68±2.01;P<0.01).The mean difference in HAMD-17 scores before and after treatment was-9.62±3.13 in the ECT group,and was-8.16±1.71 in the control group.Additionally,suicidal ideation reduced in both groups after treatment(SIOSS scores at four time points:ECT group 18.57±2.85 vs.10.93±3.52 vs.8.02±2.79 vs.3.70±1.96,control group 18.97±3.03 vs.15.51±2.98 vs.11.11±2.18 vs.6.44±1.78;P<0.01).For cognitive function scores,there was no interaction between group and time(P=0.21),the difference in the change in MoCA scores at different follow-up time points was significant(P<0.01),and the difference in the change in MoCA scores between the two groups was not significant(P=0.05),and the cognitive functions of the two groups could be restored to the baseline level at 6 weeks after treatment.No severe side effects were reported in either group of patients during the study.Conclusions Our findings confirm that ECT is effective and safe for improving suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms in adolescents with major depressive disorder.The impairment of cognitive function by ECT in adolescent patients with major depressive disorder is reversible.
