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Annals of General Psychiatry
Published in: Annals of General Psychiatry 1/2013

Open Access 01-12-2013 | Review

Electroconvulsive therapy use in adolescents: a systematic review

Authors: Nádia NR Lima, Vânia B Nascimento, Jorge AC Peixoto, Marcial M Moreira, Modesto LR Neto, José C Almeida, Carlos AC Vasconcelos, Saulo A Teixeira, Jucier G Júnior, Francisco TC Junior, Diego DM Guimarães, Aline Q Brasil, Jesus S Cartaxo, Marco Akerman, Alberto OA Reis

Published in: Annals of General Psychiatry | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Background

Considered as a moment of psychological vulnerability, adolescence is remarkably a risky period for the development of psychopathologies, when the choice of the correct therapeutic approach is crucial for achieving remission. One of the researched therapies in this case is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The present study reviews the recent and classical aspects regarding ECT use in adolescents.

Methods

Systematic review, performed in November 2012, conformed to the PRISMA statement.

Results

From the 212 retrieved articles, only 39 were included in the final sample. The reviewed studies bring indications of ECT use in adolescents, evaluate the efficiency of this therapy regarding remission, and explore the potential risks and complications of the procedure.

Conclusions

ECT use in adolescents is considered a highly efficient option for treating several psychiatric disorders, achieving high remission rates, and presenting few and relatively benign adverse effects. Risks can be mitigated by the correct use of the technique and are considered minimal when compared to the efficiency of ECT in treating psychopathologies.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Electroconvulsive therapy use in adolescents: a systematic review
Authors
Nádia NR Lima
Vânia B Nascimento
Jorge AC Peixoto
Marcial M Moreira
Modesto LR Neto
José C Almeida
Carlos AC Vasconcelos
Saulo A Teixeira
Jucier G Júnior
Francisco TC Junior
Diego DM Guimarães
Aline Q Brasil
Jesus S Cartaxo
Marco Akerman
Alberto OA Reis
Publication date
01-12-2013
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Annals of General Psychiatry / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1744-859X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1744-859X-12-17

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