NICE (UK National Institute for Clinical Excellence) consults on ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) recommendations:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued the final appraisal determination on the clinical and cost effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy for depressive illness, schizophrenia, catatonia and mania. Subject to any appeal, NICE plans to recommend a limited use of the technique to achieve rapid and short-term improvement of severe symptoms, after other options have proven ineffective and/or when the condition is life-threatening, in cases of severe depressive illness, catatonia and a prolonged or severe manic episode. In the UK, the therapy is also currently used occasionally in the treatment of schizophrenia. The appeal period ends on December 23 2002.