Effect of modified electroconvulsive therapy on working memory in schizophrenics

Abstract

Objective To explore the effect of modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) on working memory in schizophrenia patients. Methods 2-back test paradigm was set to measure the performances of working memory. A total of 30 cases of schizophrenia were recruited and measured with accurate rate and reaction time on this tasks before and after treatment with MECT. Differences were analyzed between patients through MECT treatment and 30 patients through drug treatment. Results Repeated measure ment analysis of variance on the accurate rate ((66.70±9.82)%, (67.61±6.83)%, (80.72±12.08)%)and reaction time((1415.69± 258.51)ms, (1328.65±236.08)ms, (1094.45± 259.44)ms) of 2-back test were significant among three times of MECT (F=19.163, P<0.001; F=13.084, P<0.001). Schizophrenia patient's performance of error rate and reaction time of 2-back test were higher at the end of 2 weeks after treatment((80.72±12.08)%; (1094.45± 259.44)ms) than before MECT treatment ((66.70±9.82)%; (1415.69±258.51)ms). The difference between them were significant(t=-4.369, P<0.001; t=5.596, P<0.001). Schizophrenia patients performance of error rate and reaction time of 2-back test were higher at the end of 2 weeks after treatment((80.72±12.08)%; (1094.45±259.44)ms) than at the end of 1 day after treatment((67.61±6.83)%; (1328.65±236.08)ms). The difference between them were significant(t=-5.416, P<0.000; t=3.824, P=0.001). Schizophrenia patients performance of error rate of 2-back test were higher at the end of 2 weeks after treatment than drug treatment group((73.67±10.41)%), and the difference between them were significant(t=2.424, P=0.018). Conclusion Working memory functions in schizophrenia patients may be improved in varying degrees with MECT. Key words: Modified electroconvulsive therapy; Schizophrenia; Memory