MEMORY COMPLAINT AFTER ELECTROCONVULSIVE-THERAPY - ASSESSMENT WITH A NEW SELF-RATING INSTRUMENT

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 14  (5) , 791-801
Abstract
Memory complaints before bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), 1 wk after ECT and 6 mo. after ECT were assessed in 35 patients using a newly developed self-rating scale. Memory complaints that occurred 1 wk after ECT differed quantitatively and qualitatively from memory complaints that occurred before ECT. Memory complaints 6 mo. later qualitatively resembled the complaints reported 1 wk after ECT and differed sharply from those reported before ECT. A patient''s impression of his memory may be altered by bilateral ECT and this altered impression persists in gradually diminishing form for at least 6 mo. after a typical course of treatment. Since the self-rating instrument used here appeared to differentiate between memory complaints associated with depression (before ECT) and memory complaints associated with amnesia (1 wk after ECT), this instrument may be useful in a variety of settings where there is interest in human memory function.

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