Original Research Prim Care Companion CNS Disord August 2025

Depression Remission and Response Rates and Anxiety Response as a Predictor of Depression Response in a Community Electroconvulsive Therapy Clinic

PCC CNS Disord 2025;27(4):10.4088/PCC.25m03939

Full Article Read the complete peer-reviewed article in Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. Clinical Summary Patients referred for ECT in community practice often have severe, highly treatment-resistant depression and multiple comorbidities, yet the remission rates most clinicians hear about often come from more selective trial populations. This study shows what outcomes looked like in a real-world community ECT clinic and identifies anxiety burden as a practical marker tied to depression response. FAQ What depression response and remission rates were seen with ECT in this community clinic?

Key Takeaways This community sample was highly treatment resistant before ECT, with a mean of 5.3 (SD=2.4) antidepressant medication trials, which likely helps explain why outcomes were less robust than rates commonly cited from controlled trials. Clinical Guide How should clinicians track depression, anxiety, and cognition during an acute community ECT course for severe treatment-resistant depression? Clinical Guide How can clinicians use baseline anxiety assessment to identify patients with depression who may be less likely to respond to ECT?