A review of the evidence suggests that electroconvulsive therapy is effective in relieving the symptoms of depression.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which involves administering a mild electric shock to the brain, has been used in the treatment of depression since the 1930s. Since the advent of antidepressant drugs, many doctors and patients have argued that ECT is out of date, has unacceptable side effects, and that its use can't be justified.

Researchers in Oxford, UK, looked at various trials of ECT. These compared ECT with placebo (so-called 'sham' ECT, where no shock is delivered) and with drug therapy. They also looked at unilateral versus bilateral ECT, and at high and low dose ECT. The conclusion was that ECT is effective in treating depression and maybe more so than drugs, with high dose bilateral therapy being the better choice. Therefore, the researchers conclude, ECT remains an important treatment option in depression.

Source

The Lancet 8th March 2003