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The Historical Struggles of Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy: How Anesthesia Came to the Rescue.

Authors :
Lava-Parmele S
Lava C
Parmele JB
Source :
Journal of anesthesia history [J Anesth Hist] 2021 Jun; Vol. 7 (2), pp. 17-25. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Mar 19.
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

The complicated history of modified electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) started back before anesthesia was incorporated when unmodified electroconvulsive therapy was not considered humane. When anesthesiologists started working with psychiatrists, ECT gradually regained acceptance by decreasing the obstacles inherent to this therapy despite the complexities of the anesthetics. However, the sociopolitical and medicolegal factors negatively impacted the use of modified ECT leading to a period of time when it was banned from use in the United States. Fortunately, as advances in anesthesia and technology continued to develop, anesthesiologists helped ECT regain widespread usage improving the safety profile, cost effectiveness, quicker onset of seizures, and ease of control despite its stained past. This allowed more accessibility, especially for high-risk medical patients, to a relatively safe and effective treatment for psychiatric diseases.<br />Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.<br /> (Copyright © 2021 Anesthesia History Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2352-4537
Volume :
7
Issue :
2
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Journal of anesthesia history
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
34175108
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janh.2021.03.001