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Electroconvulsive Therapy for Treatment Refractory Schizophrenia - A Randomized, Double-blinded, Sham-controlled Study

Not Applicable
Terminated
Conditions
Treatment-refractory Schizophrenia
Interventions
Procedure: SHAM ECT
Procedure: ECT
Drug: Anesthesia
Registration Number
NCT01948999
Lead Sponsor
University of Aarhus
Brief Summary

The purpose of the study is to determine whether addition of electroconvulsive therapy to antipsychotic treatment improves the mental health of patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Detailed Description

The purpose of the study is not achieved.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
TERMINATED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
3
Inclusion Criteria
  • An ICD-10 schizophrenia diagnosis F20.0-20.3 or F20.9
  • PANSS total score >= 70
  • CGI-S >= 4 (Clinical Global Impression)
  • PANSS score >= 4 on minimum 2 og the following items: Delusions, Conceptual disorganization,Hallucinatory behavior, Excitement, Grandiosity, Suspiciousness, Hostility, Disorientation.
  • Previous/current treated with clozapine or refused clozapine treatment
  • Lack of response to at least three different antipsychotics
  • New antipsychotic medication prescribed more than 8 weeks before inclusion
  • Fixed dosage of antipsychotics 1 month before inclusion
  • No chance of additional neurotropic 4 weeks before inclusion
  • Signed informed consent and power of attorney
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Exclusion Criteria
  • Significant substance abuse
  • Somatic disease that increases the risk of complications of ECT/anesthesia
  • Epilepsy
  • For women: Pregnancy or breast-feeding
  • Homelessness
  • Use of benzodiazepines (apart from tbl. oxazepam 10 mg., max 30 mg. daily)
  • Use of antiepileptic
  • Previous no effect on psychotic symptoms after ECT treatment (minimum 15 ECT- treatments)
  • Concrete suicidal plans
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Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
SHAM ECTSHAM ECTAnesthesia and concomitant muscular paralysis
ECTECTElectroconvulsive Therapy Anesthesia and concomitant muscular paralysis
ECTAnesthesiaElectroconvulsive Therapy Anesthesia and concomitant muscular paralysis
SHAM ECTAnesthesiaAnesthesia and concomitant muscular paralysis
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Reduction in total PANSS score and adverse eventsThe primary outcome will be assessed at screening, baseline and after every second week up to 72 weeks depending on the process for the individaul participant.

PANSS = Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and UKU = The UKU (Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser) side effect rating scale

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
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