Feasibility of the Audio Recorded Cognitive Screen in the Assessment of Individuals Undergoing Electroconvulsive Therapy

This study aimed to assess the feasibility/utility of using the ARCS in the assessment of depressed patients undergoing ECT. Methods Depressed patients undergoing ECT were tested with the ARCS and a comparison instrument, the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), in counterbalance order immediately before any ECT and after the sixth ECT treatment episode. Apathy (Apathy Scale) and depression (Profile of Mood states Short Form) were measured on both occasions. Analyses compared performances on the 2 cognitive instruments and examined for associations with the measures of apathy or depression. Results Twenty-eight individuals (9 male, 19 female) aged 19 to 84 years underwent testing. Performances on the total ARCS were similar to those on the total RBANS, and both showed decline from baseline to follow-up. The total ARCS and RBANS measures correlated well (r = 0.75, P
Source: The Journal of ECT - Category: Psychiatry Tags: Original Studies Source Type: research