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Individualized hybrid electroconvulsive therapy (i-HECT) shows rapid anti-depressant effect in young patients with depression

delete2026-08-11
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OA
AI
L
Lun Zeng
J
Jing-ya Zhang
J
Jia Li
M
Mianmian Chen
S
Shu‐xian Xu
C
Chen-long Gu
B
Bai-jian Tan
X
Xin‐hui Xie *
DOI:10.1186/s12888-026-08515-xdelete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
For young patients with depression, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is highly effective but causes acute cognitive side effects. We designed a new individualized hybrid electroconvulsive therapy (i-HECT) combines ECT with low-charge electrotherapy (LCE) and individual symptom monitoring to reduce cognitive impairments. i-HECT comprised two treatments: ECT and LCE. ECT utilized an energy set of 1.5 times the seizure threshold (ST), while LCE was set at 0.5 ST. The initial session employed standard bilateral ECT. Subsequent sessions involved ECT or LCE, depending on whether meeting the ECT-LCE transition criteria (Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score < 22 or ≥ 50% reduction), assessed after each session. This trial employed a Simon’s optimal two-stage design with a 3-month follow-up period in 46 young patients (age 16–25) with depression (MADRS ≥ 22). The intention-to-treat analysis revealed an 80.4% response rate and a 58.7% remission rate, The reduction in MADRS score was 19.1 ± 7.0, with Hedges’ g = 3.29 (95% CI = 2.66 to 3.91). The orientation recovery tests (ORTs) took 22.7 ± 11.3 min after LCEs and 26.0 ± 10.3 min after ECTs. Improvements in cognitive functions were observed after i-HECT treatments and during the 3-month follow-up periods. In conclusion, our i-HECT protocol shows promise as a simple and rapid treatment option for young patients with depression, with observed improvements in cognitive function. This trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn), registration number: ChiCTR2100045682. Date of registration on April 23, 2021.
Keywords:
Electroconvulsive therapy
i-HECT
Rapid antidepressant effect
Improved cognitive functions
Safety

Journal

BMC Psychiatry cover
BMC Psychiatry
IF:
3.6
Papers:
9.2K
Citations:
2.7W

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D
department of psychiatric rehabilitation
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2
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S
School of Clinical Medicine
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937
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Citations: 2
D
department of psychiatry
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1.9K
Papers: 685
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S
second people's hospital of huizhou
Scholars:
2
Papers: 1
Citations: 0
D
Department of Clinical Psychology
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138
Papers: 90
Citations: 0
D
department of radiology
Scholars:
3.0K
Papers: 963
Citations: 0
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