Electroconvulsive TherapyREPEAT-ECTNCT07418463
Effects of Repeated Electroconvulsive Therapy Sessions on Anesthetic Requirements
An observational study of Electroconvulsive Therapy, run by Izmir City Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for severe depression and other psychiatric disorders. ECT is usually given in several sessions on different days. During each session, patients receive short-acting anesthesia to ensure comfort and safety. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Electroconvulsive Therapy
- What is being tested?
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- How many people
- 35 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 20 Dec 2025to 15 Mar 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Adult patients aged 18-65 years with an established indication for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) who are scheduled to undergo multiple ECT sessions at a tertiary care hospital. Participants will be consecutively enrolled during the study period according to eligibility criteria. All procedures will be performed as part of routine clinical care.
Who may be able to join
- Age 18 to 65 years.
- Scheduled to undergo electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) under elective conditions as part of routine clinical care.
- ECT indication (e.g., major depressive disorder, bipolar depression, schizoaffective disorder, catatonia).
- ASA Physical Status I-III.
- Planned to receive multiple ECT sessions.
- Able to provide written informed consent (participant and/or legally authorized representative).
Who cannot join
- Use of antiepileptic drugs or benzodiazepines that may affect seizure threshold.
- ECT received within the past 6 months.
- Severe cardiovascular, pulmonary, or neurologic comorbidity (investigator judgment).
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- ASA Physical Status IV or higher.
- Acute substance or alcohol use disorder/intoxication.
- Conditions preventing EEG monitoring (e.g., scalp trauma, significant skin lesions, cranial implants).
- Inability to obtain reliable BIS monitoring during anesthesia induction due to technical limitations.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Repeated Electroconvulsive Therapy on Anesthetic Requirements: A Prospective Observational Study
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for severe depression and other psychiatric disorders. ECT is usually given in several sessions on different days. During each session, patients receive short-acting anesthesia to ensure comfort and safety.
This study aims to evaluate whether the amount of anesthetic medication required changes during repeated ECT sessions in the same patient. In addition, the study will examine the relationship between anesthetic dose, seizure duration, seizure quality (measured by postictal suppression index), and recovery time.
This is a prospective observational study. All anesthesia and ECT procedures will be performed according to routine clinical practice. No additional intervention will be applied for research purposes.
Read the detailed description
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a well-established biological treatment for treatment-resistant depression and other affective disorders. Adequate anesthesia is essential to ensure patient safety while maintaining optimal seizure quality and therapeutic efficacy. Short-acting anesthetic agents are commonly used in ECT due to their favorable recovery profiles and hemodynamic stability.
Previous studies suggest that anesthetic requirements may change across repeated ECT sessions, potentially influencing seizure duration, seizure quality, and recovery time. However, evidence regarding within-patient changes in anesthetic dose requirements and their relationship with electroencephalographic seizure characteristics remains limited.
This prospective observational cohort study aims to evaluate changes in anesthetic requirements during repeated ECT sessions in adult patients. Secondary objectives include examining the association between anesthetic dose, seizure duration (motor and EEG), postictal suppression index (PSI), and recovery time.
All ECT and anesthesia procedures will be conducted according to institutional routine clinical protocols. The research team will not interfere with clinical decision-making. Data will be collected from anesthesia records and EEG documentation. Mixed-effects statistical models will be used to account for repeated within-subject measurements.
- Conditions
- Electroconvulsive Therapy
- Being tested
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
- Keywords
- Electroconvulsive Therapy, Anesthesia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)Procedure or surgery
Electroconvulsive therapy administered as part of routine clinical care. The study does not assign or modify the intervention. Anesthetic management and ECT parameters are determined by treating physicians according to standard institutional protocols.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Adults Undergoing Repeated ECT | Adult patients aged 18-65 years with an indication for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) who are scheduled to undergo multiple ECT sessions under routine clinical practice. All anesthesia and ECT procedures will be performed according to standard institutional protocols. No additional intervention will be applied for research purposes. Repeated within-subject measurements will be collected across ECT sessions. Receives: Procedure: Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Anesthetic Dose Requirement Across Repeated ECT Sessions
Dose (mg) of the anesthetic agent administered for each ECT session (e.g., propofol or etomidate), recorded from anesthesia records and analyzed as within-subject change across sequential sessions.
Measured: Across the first 4 ECT sessions per participant (from Session 1 to Session 4), during the study period (up to 3 months).
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 Feb 2026
- Study start20 Dec 2025
- Primary completion15 Mar 2026
- Study completion15 Mar 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Electroconvulsive TherapyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 35 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Izmir City Hospital
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Murat Kaykaç, Izmir City Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07418463
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025/586
- Acronym
- REPEAT-ECT
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 11 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 8 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Repeated Electroconvulsive Therapy on Anesthetic Requirements: A Prospective Observational Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07418463
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REPEAT-ECT / 2025/586
- Conditions
- Electroconvulsive Therapy
- Keywords
- Electroconvulsive Therapy, Anesthesia
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 35 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Izmir City HospitalOther government
- Study start
- 20 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Mar 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 18 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for severe depression and other psychiatric disorders. ECT is usually given in several sessions on different days. During each session, patients receive short-acting anesthesia to ensure comfort and safety.
This study aims to evaluate whether the amount of anesthetic medication required changes during repeated ECT sessions in the same patient. In addition, the study will examine the relationship between anesthetic dose, seizure duration, seizure quality (measured by postictal suppression index), and recovery time.
This is a prospective observational study. All anesthesia and ECT procedures will be performed according to routine clinical practice. No additional intervention will be applied for research purposes.
Detailed description
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a well-established biological treatment for treatment-resistant depression and other affective disorders. Adequate anesthesia is essential to ensure patient safety while maintaining optimal seizure quality and therapeutic efficacy. Short-acting anesthetic agents are commonly used in ECT due to their favorable recovery profiles and hemodynamic stability.
Previous studies suggest that anesthetic requirements may change across repeated ECT sessions, potentially influencing seizure duration, seizure quality, and recovery time. However, evidence regarding within-patient changes in anesthetic dose requirements and their relationship with electroencephalographic seizure characteristics remains limited.
This prospective observational cohort study aims to evaluate changes in anesthetic requirements during repeated ECT sessions in adult patients. Secondary objectives include examining the association between anesthetic dose, seizure duration (motor and EEG), postictal suppression index (PSI), and recovery time.
All ECT and anesthesia procedures will be conducted according to institutional routine clinical protocols. The research team will not interfere with clinical decision-making. Data will be collected from anesthesia records and EEG documentation. Mixed-effects statistical models will be used to account for repeated within-subject measurements.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Adults Undergoing Repeated ECT | – | Procedure: Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)Adult patients aged 18-65 years with an indication for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) who are scheduled to undergo multiple ECT sessions under routine clinical practice. All anesthesia and ECT procedures will be performed according to standard institutional protocols. No additional intervention will be applied for research purposes. Repeated within-subject measurements will be collected across ECT sessions. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Adult patients aged 18-65 years with an established indication for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) who are scheduled to undergo multiple ECT sessions at a tertiary care hospital. Participants will be consecutively enrolled during the study period according to eligibility criteria. All procedures will be performed as part of routine clinical care.
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Age 18 to 65 years.
- Scheduled to undergo electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) under elective conditions as part of routine clinical care.
- ECT indication (e.g., major depressive disorder, bipolar depression, schizoaffective disorder, catatonia).
- ASA Physical Status I-III.
- Planned to receive multiple ECT sessions.
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Use of antiepileptic drugs or benzodiazepines that may affect seizure threshold.
- ECT received within the past 6 months.
- Severe cardiovascular, pulmonary, or neurologic comorbidity (investigator judgment).
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- ASA Physical Status IV or higher.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)Electroconvulsive therapy administered as part of routine clinical care. The study does not assign or modify the intervention. Anesthetic management and ECT parameters are determined by treating physicians according to standard institutional protocols. | Procedure or surgery | Adults Undergoing Repeated ECT |
Primary outcome
Change in Anesthetic Dose Requirement Across Repeated ECT Sessions
Time frame: Across the first 4 ECT sessions per participant (from Session 1 to Session 4), during the study period (up to 3 months).
Dose (mg) of the anesthetic agent administered for each ECT session (e.g., propofol or etomidate), recorded from anesthesia records and analyzed as within-subject change across sequential sessions.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Electroconvulsive Therapy
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Predictors of Treatment Outcome in Major Depressive Disorder
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Electroconvulsive Therapy, run by Izmir City Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Anesthetic Dose Requirement Across Repeated ECT Sessions (time frame: Across the first 4 ECT sessions per participant (from Session 1 to Session 4), during the study period (up to 3 months).). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Oct 2026.