Cognitive Effects in Psychiatric Inpatients Treated with Electroconvulsive Therapy
Nantawat Sitdhiraksa MD, PhD1, Naratip Sanguanpanich BSc1, Phiangbunpa Natithamkul MD1, Kamonporn Wannarit MD1, Nattha Saisavoey MD1, Woraphat Ratta-apha MD, PhD1, Pornjira Pariwatcharakul MD, MSc1
Affiliation : 1 Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To study cognitive ability in psychiatric inpatients before and after receiving electroconvulsive therapy.
Materials and Methods : The study was a prospective observational cohort. The authors administered Mini-Mental State
Examination, Thai version [MMSE-Thai 2002] with patients, who treated with non-maintenance electroconvulsive therapy
in the inpatient psychiatric unit, Siriraj Hospital, before ECT, and at 0 to 3 days, 2-week and 2-month after ECT. The data
were analyzed by descriptive statistical analysis and one-way repeated measures ANOVA.
Results : 29 subjects participated in the present study. The intention-to-threat analysis showed a statistically significant
difference in MMSE scores before ECT and at 0 to 3 days, 2-week, and 2-month after ECT. There was cognitive function
decline at 0 to 3 days after treatment but improved at 2-week, and 2-month after ECT. There were significant differences in
attention-calculation and recall of cognitive function domains.
Conclusion : The difference of MMSE showed declination in cognitive function in 0 to 3 days after ECT. However, the
cognitive function improved significantly at 2-weeks and 2-months after ECT.
Keywords : Electroconvulsive therapy, Cognitive effect, MMSE
