The Use of the Stabilization Period in Electroconvulsive Therapy Research in Schizophrenia : II. Implementation
WORRAWAT CHANPATTANA,M.D.*, NITCHA WAN KIRDCHAROEN, M.D.*, PISARN TECHAKASEM, M.D.***, M.L. SOMCHAI CHAKRABHAND, M.D.**, YINGRAT TUNTIRUNGSEE, M.D.***, YAOWALAK PRASERTSUK, M.S.****
Affiliation : *Department of Psychiatry, Srinakharinwirot University, Vajira Hospital, **Srithunya Hospital, Nonthaburi I 1000, ***Psychiatry Unit, Vajira Hospital, Bangkok 10300, ****Psychiatric-inpatient Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkom University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Method : One hundred and fourteen schizophrenic patients received acute Phase I treat- ment with bilateral ECT and tlupenthixol (12-24 mg/d). After the first sign of clinical improve- ment, all patients had to pass a 3-week stabilization period during which their clinical improvement had to be sustained. The patients had to receive at least 20 ECT treatments before being con- sidered unresponsive to ECT. Fifty one patients enrolled in the continuation (Phase II) treatment study, and were randomized to the 3 treatment groups.
Results : In Phase I study, 58 patients were ECT responders by our criteria, 43 were non- responders, and 13 were drop-outs. Forty five patients either relapsed or completed the Phase II study, while 6 patients dropped out. By our relapse criteria, 6 of 15 relapsed in the combined C-ECT and tlupenthixol group, and 14 of 15 relapsed in both the group treated with C-ECT alone or tlu- penthixol alone. The use of the stabilization period in this study could complete all three objec- tives previously described.
Conclusions : The use of the stabilization period is very useful in ECT research in schizo- phrenia.
Keywords : Stabilization Period, ECT, Schizophrenia, Prospective Study, Efficacy
