AN EXPLORATORY EVALUATION OF ECT IN HALOPERIDOL-TREATED DSM-IIIR SCHIZOPHRENIFORM DISORDER

In a double-blind, prospective study, 30 consecutive treatment-naive a dult men with first-onset psychosis and DSM-IIIR provisional schizophr eniform disorder (without good prognostic features) were randomized in to true electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and sham ECT groups. Both grou ps received haloperidol in a fixed dose of 15 mg at night. The ECT sch edule comprised six bilateral, sinusoidal wave treatments administered on alternate days, thrice a week. Weekly ratings for the first 6 week s showed an absence of significant difference between the groups in th e number of patients responding and in the rate of attenuation of psyc hosis; severity of depression, while less in the true ECT group after the first 3 weeks, did not differ between the groups at any subsequent time point. Clinical ratings were repeated at 6 months, and social fu nctioning was assessed; again, no group differences emerged. It is con cluded that ECT does not meaningfully improve response in unselected s chizophreniform disorder that is treated with an adequate dose of neur oleptic.