The "half-age" stimulation strategy for ECT dosing.

摘要: Energy levels affect the treatment efficacy and efficiency of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). United States devices require preselection energy dosage before stimulating patients, two strategies have been proposed to determine an effective dosage, i.e., based on patient's age measured estimates seizure threshold. The method is criticized for overstimulation assumed association with increased cognitive effects. Threshold determination strategy cumbersome requires multiple stimulations, possibly placing patients at cardiovascular risk. In 35 we examined estimate bilateral electrode placement half in "percent energy" or joules delivered by Thymatron MECTA devices. Each patient required one stimulation first elicit motor seizures averaging 51.7 s. Subsequently, 20 were randomly assigned either threshold titration followed half-age treatments opposite (AB-BA design). Half-age was 7 J (30%) higher than estimates, corresponding 55% method. relation confirmed dosing records from independent centers. calculation ECT simple, practical, avoids overdosing repeat stimulation, a useful substitute more complex estimation.