The Effect of Electroconvulsive Therapy on Specific Catatonia Symptoms and Predictors of Late Response.

Breit, Sigrid; Meyer, Agnes; Schmitt, Wolfgang; Bracht, Tobias; Walther, Sebastian (2024). The Effect of Electroconvulsive Therapy on Specific Catatonia Symptoms and Predictors of Late Response. Pharmacopsychiatry, 57(1), pp. 13-20. Thieme 10.1055/a-2195-1499

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INTRODUCTION

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is known to be effective in the treatment of catatonia, reaching response rates of about 80 to 100%. It is indicated in cases of treatment resistance to benzodiazepines and in life-threatening conditions such as malignant catatonia. Beneficial effects on specific symptoms or predictors of response are less clear. The objective of this retrospective study is to examine the ECT effect on specific catatonia symptoms in the acute phase of the illness and to identify predictors of response.

METHODS

A retrospective study examined data from 20 patients with catatonia, 18 associated with schizophrenia and 2 with bipolar disorder, who underwent ECT from 2008 to 2021. Ten subjects had more than one ECT-series, resulting in a total of 31 ECT-series. Catatonia symptom severity was assessed with the Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS).

RESULTS

ECT yielded excellent response. Nineteen of 20 patients and 30 of 31 ECT-series achieved response. The mean number of ECT sessions to response was 4.2. Response to ECT was more pronounced for motor inhibition symptoms such as stupor and mutism, while echophenomena, dyskinesia, stereotypy and perseveration responded less well. A predictor of late response was the presence of grasp reflex.

DISCUSSION

The present study corroborates the high and rapid effectiveness of ECT in the treatment of catatonia. Focus on single catatonia signs may help to identify those who are most likely to achieve remission quickly, as well as those who might need longer ECT-series.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	04 Faculty of Medicine > University Psychiatric Services > University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy 04 Faculty of Medicine > University Psychiatric Services > University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy > Translational Research Center
UniBE Contributor:	Breit, Sigrid, Meyer, Agnes, Schmitt, Wolfgang, Bracht, Tobias, Walther, Sebastian
Subjects:	600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health
ISSN:	1439-0795
Publisher:	Thieme
Language:	English
Submitter:	Pubmed Import
Date Deposited:	24 Nov 2023 14:58
Last Modified:	11 Jan 2024 00:15
Publisher DOI:	10.1055/a-2195-1499
PubMed ID:	37995719
Additional Information:	Tobias Bracht and Sebastian Walther contributed equally.
URI:	https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/189343