Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate comprehensive electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in Japan. METHOD: From January 1 to December 31 in 2008, a 20-item questionnaire inquiring about ECT practice during the past year was sent to 1,463 institutions. RESULTS: 875 (59.8%) institutions completed the questionnaires. ECT was performed in 356 hospitals (40.7 %). Modified ECT (m-ECT) was performed in 135 hospitals (35.7%), unmodified ECT (u-ECT) in 160 (44.9%), and both m-ECT and u-ECT were performed in 47 (13.2%) hospitals. The range of receiving m-ECT varied according to the area in our country from 28.9% to 76.5% . A total of 42,358 ECTs were performed a year in our country. There were 29,040 (68.6%) m-ECTs and 13,186 (31.1%) u-ECTs. Although the percentage of m-ECTs was above 90% in the university hospitals and general hospitals, it was 48.8% in mental hospitals. In Japan, the percentage of m-ECT has increased, but some problems exist.
