Ketamine Versus Electroconvulsive Therapy for the Treatment of Depression: A Guide for Clinicians.
Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing) April 1, 2025 Sophie I Elliott, Rachel B Katz, Robert B Ostroff et al. 2 citations
For severe treatment-resistant depression, both electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and ketamine are effective, but it remains unclear which is superior. Two noninferiority trials and three meta-analyses show efficacy for both treatments yet report contradictory findings about which works better. Discrepancies may stem from differences in patient selection, outcome measures, treatment delivery, and site experience. Each treatment has unique risks and benefits that should be weighed for individual patients. The authors aim to help clinicians choose the optimal treatment by evaluating the latest evidence and patient-specific factors.