"In order to compare the detrimental effect on cognitive functions of two different methods of administering ECT, two groups of 20 pateints each, matched for age, education, and intelligence, were subjected to ECT, the first group of 20 convulsions by the Reiter method, and the other to 12 convulsions by the Conventional method. Various psychological measures were used before shock, during the course of shock, and two weeks postshock. At the close of the treatment period less cognitive disturbance, as measured by certain tests involving new learning, had occurred in the Reiter group, but differences were negligible for other tasks. In the two-week postshock period gains in the Wechsler Memory Scale were approximately equal for the two groups. Comparison of pre- to post-shock average changes in the Wechsler-Bellevue Scale gave no advantage to either group.".