A controlled trial of modified electroconvulsive therapy in schizophrenia in a Nigerian teaching hospital.
The efficacy of ECT in the treatment of Schizophrenia was investigated in a double blind controlled trial. The ICD-10 criteria for Schizophrenia were fulfilled by the 20 patients who entered the trial. Consecutive individuals who satisfied the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to a course of (bilateral) six real or simulated ECTs each as applicable. Sixteen patients completed the ECT treatment and 20 weeks follow up period. Analysis of measures of clinical change (BPRS and SANS Scores) showed that both groups of patients improved, but the improvement of patients receiving ECT was not significantly greater than that of the control group.
The studies in this field are few, small, poorly reported and outdated. Hypnosis could be helpful for people with schizophrenia. If we are to find this out, better designed, conducted and reported randomised studies are required. This current update has not revealed any new studies in this area since 2003.