Patients remember the inadequate disclosure of the risk of electroconvulsive therapy

Medical professionals in Electroconvulsive (ECT) therapy are exaggerated while the risks are minimal. Furthermore, suggest the results of a survey on the type of information that patients and their parents / friends remember having been given before the procedure and published online in the Journal of Medical Ethics.

Based on the responses. In addition, researchers calculate that patients were almost 4 times more likely to remember that they have been told that the resulting memory problems were temporary rather than in the long term. Therefore, And they were 6 times more likely to remember that they had been told that the ECT can save. Therefore, lives rather than potential heart problems.

The ECT consists in inducing a brief crisis controlled in the brain using electric currents. Similarly, generally given in 6 patients remember inadequate disclosure risk to 12 treatments under general anesthesia over several weeks, explain the researchers.

Since its invention in 1938, the ECT has remained a controversial procedure. Meanwhile, And there is still no consensus on its medical advantages. However, disadvantages, exactly how it works-and for which mental health conditions-or the optimal dosage protocol, they add.

In 2023. Nevertheless, a joint report of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations confirmed that anyone proposed by the ECT should be informed of all their risks and potential risks in the short and long -term, such as memory loss and brain damage.

But the recent audits of patient information leaflets on the ECT in Australia. Similarly, from throughout the United Kingdom suggest that the effectiveness of treatment is often exaggerated while the risks are minimized, note the researchers.

To find out which beneficiaries of the ECT. Furthermore, and their parents / friends, remember having patients remember inadequate disclosure risk been informed of the procedure, the researchers relied on the responses to the investigation of a sample of convenience of 858 beneficiaries of ECT and 286 relatives and friends of 44 countries, completed between January and September 2024.

Most respondents were white and women. Nevertheless, The average age at the time of their last ect was 41, but varied from 12 to 87 years. Consequently, Most of the ECT recipients (73%) had their last ect between 2010 and 2024. Consequently, But for around 2%, which dates back to 1950 and 1969.

The reasons presented for treatment included depression (73%); Psychosis / schizophrenia (17%); Bipolar / mania disorder (15%); catatonia (8%); Other (13%); And “I don’t know” (6%).

Respondents were asked if they remembered having been informed of the possible side effects of the ECT. mainly of heart problems; Temporary and long-term memory problems, including greater sensitivity to women and the patients remember inadequate disclosure risk elderly; And the cognitive risks associated with general series anesthesia.

They were also asked if they remembered having been informed of their legal rights concerning the ECT. in particular that there is no evidence that the ECT has long -term advantages.

And they were asked if they remembered that they had been told (and poorly informed) that: depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Ect corrects this brain anomaly and others; ECT can be vital / prevent suicide; It is the most effective treatment for serious depression

Of the 735 beneficiaries of the ECT who answered the question of the adequacy of the information received before the procedure, more than half (59%) said that this was not adequate when 17% were not sure.

For example. almost two thirds (63%) recall that “the ECT can cause temporary memory problems”, but only 17% that it “can patients remember inadequate disclosure risk cause long -term or permanent memory problems”.

Only 12% remember that it was told that “the ECT can cause heart problems”. 28% that there are “risks of repeated general anesthesia”.

There were higher recall levels around the information given on the defined advantages of the ECT. although some of these advantages are disputed, the researchers say.

When they were asked to consider a list of disinformation elements. many beneficiaries and parents remember that it was told that “depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain” (58% and 53%, respectively) and that “ect corrects chemical imbalance or another brain anomaly” (42% and 41%).

Based on 682 ECT beneficiaries who recalled at least information. the researchers calculated that they were almost 4 times more likely to remember to have been informed of temporary memory problems because they had to have been informed of long -term or permanent patients remember inadequate disclosure risk memory problems.

They were more than 5 times more likely to remember to have been said that the ECT is. the most effective treatment for serious depression because there is no evidence for long -term advantages. And they were 6 times more likely to remember to have been informed that the ECT can be “saving. / preventing suicide” because they were talking about potential heart problems.

Everyone was invited to include up to two other things they remembered that clinicians told them about the ect. if necessary: 363 ECT recipients, and 37 families / friends did it. The most common information reported (154 beneficiaries. 11 families / friends) consisted in minimizing memory loss or other side effects in various ways.

This included the denial of any long -term effect (51) or simply by declaring that the ECT is safe (34). Fifty. a respondents remember that the ECT was patients remember inadequate disclosure risk the only option remaining for recovery, mainly because psychiatric drugs had not worked.

It is a convenience sample. the researchers recognize that it may not be representative of all the recipients of the ECT. And those who were not satisfied with their experience could have been more likely to fulfill the investigation.

The answers were also based on a personal reminder, which, in some cases, dates back to the 1950s. And the events of the period just before the ECT are particularly vulnerable to be lost due to the ECT. warn the researchers.

However, the results align with those of previous studies, they underline. “Risk minimization. in particular long-term undesirable effects, has been pronounced, both in our quantitative and qualitative data,” they said, adding: “The legal implications not to guarantee informed consent are substantial. »»

They conclude: “These results. jointly with previous studies, suggest an urgent need of greater patients remember inadequate disclosure risk efforts to ensure that patients and families receive complete, balanced and based on evidence when they decide if they have had the ECT. »»

They suggest: “If the efforts to persuade hospitals. clinics to comply with the ethical director of informed consent by providing balanced, complete and based on evidence is unsuccessful, professional, regulatory and governmental organizations should intervene. »»