Margoob et al Study (abnormal) Flashcards
1
Q
Aim
A
To investigate whether severe, chronic PTSD symptoms could be reduced with ECT
2
Q
Procedure
A
- Approx 20 participants who have severe, chronic PTSD (duration over a year) who did not respond to drug therapy (tried 4 different drugs) or cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) (tried 2 sessions)
- Treated with 6 twice-weekly sessions with bitemporal electrode placement
- Immediately after the treatment, prescribed an antidepressant drug
- Measures taken before ECT started after 3rd and 6th treatments
- Included a CAPS scale (a PTSD scale) and a depression scale
3
Q
Findings
A
- CAPS scored for the group had decrease by an average of 50%
- All participants still met the criteria for PTSD, but mena score was now in moderate range, not in severe range
- Depression scale score decreased by an average of 50%
- 4 participants who also had psychotic symptoms (eg. hallucinations), 3 of them did not have those symptoms after ECT
- At follow-ups up to two years later, participants appear to maintain clinical gains
- Supports the use of ECT as a treatments for severe, chronic PTSD that is unresponsive to other treatments and further research (perhaps especially with psychotic symptoms)
4
Q
Strengths
A
- Retention rate was high compared to those in antidepressent trials (85% vs 60-70%)
5
Q
Limitations
A
- Unblinded procedure
- No control group
- Small sample
- Sampling bias (severe PTSD)
- Final ratings were taken aftere they started taking antidepressants (2 days later)
6
Q
Ethical Considerations
A
- Protection from harm
- Treatments for PTSD not approved
- Side effects of ECT
7
Q
Research Method
A
Experiment (lab or true)
