Effects of Repeated Electroconvulsive Therapy Sessions on Anesthetic Requirements

NCT07418463 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2025/586
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for severe depression and other psychiatric disorders. ECT is usually given in several sessions on different days. During each session, patients receive short-acting anesthesia to ensure comfort and safety. This study aims to evaluate whether the amount of anesthetic medication required changes during repeated ECT sessions in the same patient. In addition, the study will examine the relationship between anesthetic dose, seizure duration, seizure quality (measured by postictal suppression index), and recovery time. This is a prospective observational study. All anesthesia and ECT procedures will be performed according to routine clinical practice. No additional intervention will be applied for research purposes.

Conditions

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Keywords

Electroconvulsive Therapy; Anesthesia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Anesthetic Dose Requirement Across Repeated ECT Sessions

  Dose (mg) of the anesthetic agent administered for each ECT session (e.g., propofol or etomidate), recorded from anesthesia records and analyzed as within-subject change across sequential sessions.

  Across the first 4 ECT sessions per participant (from Session 1 to Session 4), during the study period (up to 3 months).

Study Arms (1)

Adults Undergoing Repeated ECT

Adult patients aged 18-65 years with an indication for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) who are scheduled to undergo multiple ECT sessions under routine clinical practice. All anesthesia and ECT procedures will be performed according to standard institutional protocols. No additional intervention will be applied for research purposes. Repeated within-subject measurements will be collected across ECT sessions.

Procedure: Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Interventions

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) PROCEDURE

Electroconvulsive therapy administered as part of routine clinical care. The study does not assign or modify the intervention. Anesthetic management and ECT parameters are determined by treating physicians according to standard institutional protocols.

Adults Undergoing Repeated ECT

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult patients aged 18-65 years with an established indication for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) who are scheduled to undergo multiple ECT sessions at a tertiary care hospital. Participants will be consecutively enrolled during the study period according to eligibility criteria. All procedures will be performed as part of routine clinical care.

You may qualify if:

• Age 18 to 65 years.
• Scheduled to undergo electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) under elective conditions as part of routine clinical care.
• ECT indication (e.g., major depressive disorder, bipolar depression, schizoaffective disorder, catatonia).
• ASA Physical Status I-III.
• Planned to receive multiple ECT sessions.
• Able to provide written informed consent (participant and/or legally authorized representative).

You may not qualify if:

• Use of antiepileptic drugs or benzodiazepines that may affect seizure threshold.
• ECT received within the past 6 months.
• Severe cardiovascular, pulmonary, or neurologic comorbidity (investigator judgment).
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• ASA Physical Status IV or higher.
• Acute substance or alcohol use disorder/intoxication.
• Conditions preventing EEG monitoring (e.g., scalp trauma, significant skin lesions, cranial implants).
• Inability to obtain reliable BIS monitoring during anesthesia induction due to technical limitations.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Izmir City Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Izmir City Hospital

Izmir, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Convulsive Therapy; Psychiatric Somatic Therapies; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities; Electroshock; Psychological Techniques

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Anesthesiology and Reanimation Specialist, MD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 11, 2026
• First Posted: February 18, 2026
• Study Start: March 15, 2026
• Primary Completion: June 13, 2026
• Study Completion: June 13, 2026
• Last Updated: June 16, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)