THE IMPROVEMENT OF COGNITIVE STATUS IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING ECT WITH CONDUCTING SUPPORTIVEEDUCATIVE PROGRAMS

Although Electroconvulsive Therapy is one of effective and fast therapeutic
methods, but its cognitive adverse effects often cause patients to reject it, thus, it can limit its widespread
use. This study assessed the effect of supportive-educative nursing interventions on cognitive status of
patients treated with Electroconvulsive Therapy, at Razi Psychiatric Hospital, Urmia, Iran.
Material and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 102 inpatients (N=102) who
had been receiving electroconvulsive therapy. The patients were selected through the convenience
sampling and randomly assigned to intervention (N=51) and control (N=51) groups. Interventions
consisted of two parts, educational and supportive. These interventions started right after the patients
and their psychiatrist’s agreement on treatment, and it continued after the 6th session. Demographic
questionnaire and Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) were used to collect the data. Cognitive statuses
of the patients were examined at 15, 30, 60 minutes and 24 hours after delivering the electric charge in
1st, 3rd and 6th sessions. The data were analyzed via SPSS v.16, using chi-square, t-test and repeated
measures test.
Results: Cognitive status of the patients in intervention group after 3rd (P=0.045) and 6th (P=0.01)
sessions were better compared to the control group, although the results after 1st session did not
significantly differ between two groups (P=0.065).
Conclusion: Supportive-educative nursing interventions may have some benefits on cognitive status
of patients treated with electro convulsive therapy. Nurses could achieve better patient care by
reducing cognitive adverse effects via conducting educational and supportive programs