Margoob et al Study (abnormal)

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To investigate whether severe, chronic PTSD symptoms could be reduced with ECT

Question 2

Procedure

Answer 2

• 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

Question 3

Findings

Answer 3

• 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)

Question 4

Strengths

Answer 4

• Retention rate was high compared to those in antidepressent trials (85% vs 60-70%)

Question 5

Limitations

Answer 5

• Unblinded procedure
• No control group
• Small sample
• Sampling bias (severe PTSD)
• Final ratings were taken aftere they started taking antidepressants (2 days later)

Question 6

Ethical Considerations

Answer 6

• Protection from harm
• Treatments for PTSD not approved
• Side effects of ECT

Question 7

Research Method

Answer 7

Experiment (lab or true)