Comparison of Therapeutic Effects and Memory Changes with Bilateral and Unilateral ECT

The relative merits of bilateral and unilateral electroconvulsive therapy in the treatment of depressed patients were investigated in a double-blind clinical comparison. Although most patients who received the unilateral mode of treatment experienced significantly less immediate memory loss, they required an average of one more treatment and two additional days of hospitalization, as compared with the bilaterally treated group. In addition, a wide range of responses was evident among individuals within each treatment group. The authors conclude that neither treatment mode is uniformly superior; the choice should be made in each case on the basis of patient needs and available treatment facilities.