Electroconvulsive therapy improves the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

This study investigated the effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Researchers suggested that ECT was associated with improved motor and mental outcomes in PD. 

PD is a chronic disorder that affects brain cells. These cells lose their ability to control body functions. Thus, leaving patients with physical and mental symptoms such as tremors and depression.

ECT consists of small electric currents that are passed through the brain triggering a brief seizure. ECT changes the brain chemistry which improves mental symptoms such as depression and psychosis. ECT is one of the recommended treatments for depression. A few studies showed that ECT may also improve depression in patients with PD. However, its effectiveness in treating motor symptoms in patients with PD is still not clear.

This study reviewed 14 other studies with information about 129 patients with PD. Patients were assessed for physical and mental symptoms before and after ECT. Wearing-OFF (when PD symptoms come back before the next dose) symptoms and mental function were also assessed.   

ECT significantly improved physical symptoms in patients with PD. This improvement was higher in the participants without depression. ECT significantly improved depression and wearing-OFF symptoms. ECT also significantly improved cognitive (thinking and reasoning) function.

This study concluded that ECT improves physical and mental symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

The studies reviewed for this analysis were very small. Further large studies are needed to confirm these findings.