M245. AN RCT PROTOCOL OF HYBRID-ECT FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA

BACKGROUND: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an rapid and effective treatment for schizophrenia patients, ECT may achieve significant antipsychotic effects in the several initial sessions, but significant side effects limit its use. However, our low-charge electrotherapy (LCE) pilot trial demonstrated antipsychotic effects with significantly fewer side effects. The aim of this trial is to propose a novel two-step charge set strategy for ECT treatment, referred to as Hybrid-ECT, try to decrease side effects by using a lower charge while preserving treatment efficacy. METHODS: A randomized, double-blinded, standard-controlled, parallel-group design will be used. We plan to enroll 62 inpatients diagnosed with acute schizophrenia and randomly assign them to routine ECT (control group) or to Hybrid-ECT (treatment group, 3 ECT sessions followed by LCE sessions (approximately half of seizure threshold per session)). The primary outcome measure is the change in total PANSS score after the last ECT/LCE session. The secondary outcome measures include the response rate, remission rate, CGI, auditory hallucination rating scale, and everyday memory questionnaire (EMQ) scales. Neuropsychological metrics include the repeatable battery for the assessments of neuropsychological status (RBANS) and the stroop test, and detailed side effects will be evaluated. Structure and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessments during treatment will be performed to explore brain changes between ECT and hybrid-ECT groups. The follow-up phase is set at the one-month after the last ECT/LCE session RESULTS: No results. DISCUSSION: This research will propose a simple but completely novel ECT strategy that aims to rapidly relieve psychosis symptoms and minimize side effects. If Hybrid-ECT is found to have the potentiality mentioned above, this could have important implications for future ECT strategies in treating schizophrenia patients in the acute phase. In addition, by using the detailed neuropsychological assessments and MRI scanning, this study may improve the knowledge of ECT-related antipsychotic mechanisms.