Indian journal of psychiatry
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Response to first ECT in depression and its value as a predictor of response to ECT is a poorly researched subject. Twenty-two antidepressant-free patients of severe depression (ICD - 10) were administered a course of 6 ECTs using bilateral sine-wave electrical stimulation with serial assessments on Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). ⋯ It appeared that ≥ 9% reduction in baseline HDRS scores after the first ECT was associated with 'Good Response'. Thus, it can be concluded that response to first ECT could be taken as a viable predictor of response in depression.