Clinical TrialDepressive DisordersKetaminePlaceboCompleted

The Use of Ketamine as an Anaesthetic During Electroconvulsive Therapy

Randomised, parallel-group study (n=40) comparing ketamine versus standard anaesthetic (propofol) as the anaesthetic for ECT to assess depressive symptoms, number of ECT treatments required, and effects on memory.

Target Enrollment
40 participants
Study Type
Phase IV interventional
Design
Randomized, triple Blind

Detailed Description

This randomised, parallel-group trial compared ketamine to propofol as the anaesthetic agent used during electroconvulsive therapy for patients referred for ECT due to depression.

Outcomes included ratings of depressive symptoms, the number of ECT treatments required, and cognitive effects including memory; prior evidence suggested ketamine might accelerate symptom reduction.

Study Arms & Interventions

Ketamine

experimental

Ketamine used as the anaesthetic during ECT.

Interventions

  • Ketamine

    Used as anaesthetic during ECT.

Propofol

active comparator

Standard anaesthetic during ECT.

Interventions

  • Placebo

    Propofol (Diprivan 1%) standard anaesthetic.

Participants

Ages
18 – 65
Sexes
Male & Female

Inclusion Criteria

  • Inclusion Criteria:
  • between the ages of 18 and 65 years old
  • diagnosed with depression and being referred for ECT
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of 1 or 2
  • patient receiving ECT on an informal basis (i.e. consenting to treatment and able to give informed consent)

Exclusion Criteria

  • Exclusion Criteria:
  • pre-existing neurological disease or cognitive impairment
  • co-morbid psychiatric diagnoses
  • pre-existing hypertension
  • severe respiratory tract disease
  • major cardiovascular disease
  • pacemakers
  • cerebrovascular disorder or malformation
  • intracranial mass lesions
  • seizure disorder
  • intracranial electrode or clips
  • intra-ocular pathology
  • endocrine or metabolic disease
  • severe hematologic disease
  • severe fracture
  • not able to give consent
  • pregnancy

Study Details

  • Status
    Completed
  • Phase
    Phase IV
  • Type
    interventional
  • Design
    Randomizedtriple Blind
  • Target Enrollment40 participants
  • Timeline
    Start: 2011-03-01
    End: 2014-02-01
  • Compounds
    KetaminePlacebo
  • Topic
    Depressive Disorders

Locations

Royal Cornhill Hospital, NHS Grampian — Aberdeen, United Kingdom

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