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INTRODUCTION

In order to better understand the issues related to the efficacy and use of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Committee staff conducted extensive research. Individuals with a working knowledge of ECT were interviewed, including ECT recipients, proponents, opponents, researchers, medical and mental health professionals and human rights advocates. Staff reviewed numerous documents to gain insight regarding ETC's historical basis, its efficacy related to certain mental health diagnoses, evolution of equipment and protocols, and potential risks and benefits. Public hearings were held in New York City on May 18, 2001 and in Albany on July 18, 2001 to receive input regarding the efficacy of ECT, to identify possible legislative actions, and to receive feedback on proposed legislation. This report is intended to summarize the Committee's findings and provide a basis for legislative action regarding ECT.

This report is organized in the following manner to assist the reader in understanding the issues, controversies and recommended legislative actions: Introduction, Background, Incidence of Use, Safety, Protocols, Special Populations, Informed Consent, Cases of ECT and Conclusion.

The Committee selected eight documents for inclusion in this report, as well as testimony from its public hearings on ECT and excerpts of communications received or distributed. The documents referred to throughout the report include, but are not limited to the following:

I . "Electroconvulsive Therapy. National Institutes of Health. Consensus Development Conference Statement," June 1985.

New York State Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Advisory Council (PAIMI). Resolution. March 15,1996.

"ECT Practices in the Community, an unpublished report." J. Prudic, M. Olfson. and H.A. Sackeim.

4. The Practice of Electroconvulsive Therapy, Recommendations for Treatment, Training, and Privileging, Second Edition. Task Force Report of the American Psychiatric Association. 2001.

Written Comments to the Committee regarding ECT by the Mental Hygiene Legal Services (MHLS). May 17, 200 1.

6. "Information about ECT," Office of Mental Health. July 2001.

"Survey of the Provision of Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT) at New York State Psychiatric Centers," Commission on Quality of Care for the Mentally Disabled, August 7. 2001.

8. "ECT: Sham Statistics, the Myth of Convulsive Therapy, and the Case for Consumer Misinformation," Douglas Cameron. The Journal of Mind and Behavior. Winter and Spring 1994, Volume 15, Numbers I and 2.

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