Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Patients Receiving Continuation or Maintenance Electroconvulsive Therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy is a safe and effective therapeutic strategy in patients with treatment resistant depression. As relapse after successful ECT is significant even with adequate pharmacological strategies, continuation (up to 6 months after completion of index-ECT) or maintenance ECT (more than 6 months after index-ECT) is often necessary to maintain remission. During the current Covid-19 pandemic hospitals redirected resources and closed or significantly diminished ECT services. In this study we aim to assess the impact of discontinuing maintenance electroconvulsive therapy in patients diagnosed with unipolar depressive disorder.

Inclusion Criteria:Continuation or maintenance ECT, in treatment at two specified ECT-centers in BelgiumUnipolar depressive disorderExclusion Criteria:Unable to provide informed consentUnable to comply with study requirements (telephone questionnaire)