%0 Journal Article
%T Continuation or maintenance ECT for schizophrenia: A narrative review of case report data.
%A Egan O
%A Talbot D
%A Mayur P
%A Harris A
%J Australas Psychiatry
%V 0
%N 0
%D 2024 May 28
%M 38805612
%F 1.837
%R 10.1177/10398562241256837
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>This review aimed to address the limited evidence on the efficacy of continuation or maintenance electroconvulsive therapy (C/M-ECT) in schizophrenia, with a focus on international case reports and series due to the scarcity of randomised controlled trials.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Electronic database searches were conducted to identify case reports or series evaluating the efficacy of C/M-ECT in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>C/M-ECT treatment span varied from 3 months to 36 years (Median = 30 months; M = 43.9 months; SD = 63.0) and was effective in maintaining remission for most patients with schizophrenia in combination with antipsychotic medication. Reporting of adverse events including cognitive adverse effects was infrequent.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Collation of case reports and series data indicated that C/M-ECT, when combined with antipsychotics, appears to be a safe and effective strategy for maintaining remission, even over several years. Caution is warranted due to the potential influence of publication bias.