Cognitive remediation following electroconvulsive therapy in severly depressed patients: an intervention for relapse prevention

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has shown fast initial antidepressant response rates (about 70-80%) in major depressed patients (MDD), but these beneficial effects are usually short lived. Moreover, cognitive side effects of the ECT might enhance vulnerability for relapse, and therefore add to the chronicity of the disease. Hence, we aim to actively remediate cognitive processes immediately after ECT in order to reduce relapse rate and enhance quality of life in patient with MDD.