Controlled Trial of Straight and Modified Electroplexy

Abstract

In a previous paper (Seager, 1958) I described a retrospective examination of the records of patients who had been suffering from depressive illness and who had received electroplexy, with or without an anaesthetic or relaxant drug. The results of that survey suggested that patients who received unmodified E.C.T. were in hospital for a shorter period, received fewer treatments and were more likely to remain well than those treated with modified E.C.T. Recognizing that the method of retrospective evaluation could give rise to many errors which would affect the results, I have now carried out a controlled trial of these treatments. The aim of the trial was to ascertain any difference between the results of modified and unmodified electroplexy, and if so, to find out which factor or factors were responsible for the difference.