Efficacy of Electroconvulsive Therapy and Ketamine Therapy in Major Depressive Disorder; A Comparative Study

Asif Azeem Bajwa; Sohail Ali; Sikandar Ali Khan; Nida Saleem; Tashfeen Bin Nazir

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v73i1.8818

Authors

Asif Azeem Bajwa Armed Forces Institute of Mental Health/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi Pakistan
Sohail Ali Armed Forces Institute of Mental Health/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi Pakistan
Sikandar Ali Khan Combined Military Hospital, Mangla/ National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Nida Saleem Armed Forces Institute of Mental Health/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi Pakistan
Tashfeen Bin Nazir National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v73i1.8818

Keywords:

Electroconvulsive therapy, ECT versus ketamine, Ketamine, Major depressive disorder

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and Ketamine infusions in hospitalized patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD).

Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study.

Place and duration of study: Armed Forces Institute of Mental Health, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Feb to Apr 2021.

Methodology: Forty in-patients diagnosed as having MDD were randomly allocated ECT/Ketamine intervention as per international standards. Either group of patients acted as a control for the other. Their Beck Depressive Inventory (BDI) scores before and after the completion of treatment cycles were assessed to determine their response to treatment.

Results: The Ketamine-Group showed fewer depressive symptoms than the ECT Group. The depressive symptoms were reduced in 16(80.78%) patients after Ketamine infusions, while 15(77.78%) patients showed improvement after ECT sessions.In addition, the response to Ketamine was quicker.

Conclusion: This study has reported that low dose Ketamine has a more rapid impact than Electroconvulsive therapy in improving symptoms of depression in major depressive disorder patients.