Abstract
Objectives: This naturalistic prospective observation study examines the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in treating dementia-related agitation. Methods: Patients with dementia-related agitation who received ECT were compared with patients with the same condition who did not receive ECT using Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) - nursing home version, and Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI). Outcomes were compared between ECT-treated and non-ECT-treated patients. Results: A total of 9 patients were included in the study. Six received ECT, and 3 did not. Patients in the ECT and non-ECT-treated groups had comparable baseline scores (CMAI, P = 0.880; NPI, P = 0.814; and CGI, P = 0.445). The CMAI, NPI, and CGI scores were lower on final assessment in both groups with no statistically significant difference (CMAI, P = 0.771; NPI, P = 0.243; and CGI, P = 0.519). Conclusions: Electroconvulsive therapy should be considered as a treatment option in the management of severe treatment refractory dementia-related agitation.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 286-289 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Journal of ECT |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 1 2017 |
Keywords
- ECT
- agitation
- behavioral assessment
- dementia
- dementia-related agitation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Neuroscience (miscellaneous)