The maintenance of modified electroconvulsive therapy combined with risperidone is better than risperidone alone in preventing relapse of schizophrenia and improving cognitive function

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the effect of maintenance modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) on schizophrenic patients.

Methods From June 2012 to June 2014, 62 patients with schizophrenia, who had recovered from a successful course of acute MECT, were recruited. Thirty-one patients received maintenance MECT and risperidone, as the experimental group. Another 31 patients were enrolled in the control group, and received risperidone only. The effects on cognitive functions, clinical symptoms and relapse rate were determined.

Results Patients in the experimental group had a lower relapse rate and longer relapse-free survival time than the controls. Relative to the baseline evaluation, patients showed statistically significant improvement in verbal memory and visual memory. At the final assessment, the scores of verbal and visual memory were remarkably lower in the experimental group than the controls but there was no significant difference in other tests.

Conclusion Maintenance MECT plus medication is superior to medication alone in preventing relapse and improving cognitive function.

RESUMO

Objetivo Avaliar o efeito da manutenção de eletroconvulsoterapia modificada (ECTM) em pacientes com esquizofrenia.

Métodos Entre junho de 2012 a junho de 2014, 62 pacientes, com esquizofrenia e que apresentaram recuperação bem-sucedida após ECTM aguda, foram recrutados. Um grupo experimental de trinta e um pacientes recebeu ECTM de manutenção e risperidona. Os demais pacientes foram incluídos no grupo controle, recebendo apenas a risperidona. Determinou-se os efeitos sobre as funções cognitivas, os sintomas clínicos e a taxa de recidiva.

Resultados Os pacientes do grupo experimental tiveram menor taxa de recidiva e maior tempo de sobrevida livre de recidiva do que os do grupo controle. Em relação à avaliação inicial, os pacientes apresentaram melhora estatisticamente significativa da memória verbal e da memória visual. Na avaliação final, os escores de memória verbal e visual foram extraordinariamente menores no grupo experimental do que no grupo controle, mas não se observou diferenças significativas em outros testes.

Conclusão A ECTM de manutenção combinada à medicação é superior ao uso apenas de medicação na prevenção de recidivas e na melhora da função cognitiva.

schizophrenia - electroconvulsive therapy - risperidone - cognition

esquizofrenia - eletroconvulsoterapia - risperidona - cognição

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