Subjective memory impairment after electroconvulsive therapy – potentially modifiable?

Memory impairment is an important side-effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). However, predicting which patients are at increased risk of developing this is difficult. The study by Sigström et al compares patients’ experience of memory difficulties before and after ECT and suggests that patients with negative expectations of ECT's memory effects are more likely to have subjective memory worsening post-ECT. This intriguing finding suggests that clinicians may be able to modify the risk of patients developing subjective memory difficulties post-ECT by providing appropriate information and addressing concerns prior to treatment, during the informed consent process.