Concept of Electroconvulsive Therapy in India: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the pivotal treatment modalities used in modern psychiatry. This treatment modality involves applying electrical stimulus with the help of an electrical device to induce a seizure. The induced seizure is used as the vital element for curative effect. This paper reviews the ECT research published in various journals, majority of these articles have focused on establishing the efficacy in different disorders. Significant numbers of papers describe the ECT procedure, ECT machine, adverse effects of ECT and amendments in mental health laws. Majority of papers from India focus on legal aspects of ECT and long term follow-up of ECT-treated patients. Despite the strict legislations made, ECT is considered as one of the most beneficial treatment procedure for depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. ECT continues to be a debatable treatment modality in modern psychiatry in context of its ethical caveats.