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Articles: Maeve A. Mangaoang and Jim V. Lucey Cognitive rehabilitation: assessment and treatment of persistent memory impairments following ECT Adv Psychiatr Treat 2007; 13: 90-100 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Cognitive rehabilitation: assessment and treatment of persistent memory impairments following ECT

Joe J Vattakatuchery, Jisha Mukundan   (21 May 2007)

Cognitive rehabilitation: assessment and treatment of persistent memory impairments following ECT 21 May 2007
Joe J Vattakatuchery, Specialist Registrar in psychiatry Department of Psychiatry, Hergest Unit, Ysbyty Gwynedd, North Wales, Jisha Mukundan Send letter to journal: Re: Cognitive rehabilitation: assessment and treatment of persistent memory impairments following ECT joejohn{at}doctors.net.uk Joe J Vattakatuchery, et al.	Mangaoang et al (2007) highlight the lack of routine assessment of neuropsychological performance following ECT. We would like to share the results of an audit on the use of ECT that corroborates this. The use of ECT was audited in two hospitals in North Wales using NICE guidelines (2003) as the standard. 32 patients who had ECT in 2005 were included. NICE guidelines recommend the monitoring of cognitive function after each session and at the end of a course of ECT. We found that although high standards were achieved in most recommendations of the guidelines monitoring of cognitive functioning was quite poor. Only 2 of 32 patients who received ECT had their cognitive function monitored. When the results were discussed with clinicians and trainees it transpired that there was a lack of awareness of the need for routine cognitive assessment as well as lack of skill and knowledge on how to monitor cognitive functioning following ECT. The articles by Mangaoang et al (2007) and Robertson et al (2006) have provided an excellent review of the cognitive effects of ECT, the need for routine monitoring and tasks that may be useful in monitoring cognitive functioning in day to day clinical practice. Declaration of interest: none. References Maeve A. Mangaoang & Jim V. Lucey (2007) Cognitive rehabilitation: assessment and treatment of persistent memory impairments following ECT. Advances in Psychiatric treatment 13, 90-100. National Institute of Clinical Excellence (2003) Guidance on the use of Electro Convulsive Therapy (Technology Appraisal 59, April). London: NICE. http:// www.nice.org.uk /pdf/59ectfullguidance.pdf. Harold Robertson & Robin Pryor (2006) Memory and cognitive effects of ECT: informing and assessing patients. Advances in Psychiatric treatment 12, 228-238.