Post-ECT Blood Pressure Rise and its Relationship to Cognitive and Affective Change

Abstract

Post-ECT blood pressure rise and its relationship to cognitive and affective change were studied in 29 depressed patients, using the Benton Visual Retention Test, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and the Leeds Self-Assessment Scale for Depression and Anxiety. No real difference was established in the Benton Test error scores before and after ECT, no correlation between rise in blood pressure and change in Benton Test error score with ECT was found, and no correlation was found between blood pressure rise and affective improvement following ECT. Previous studies which reported such correlations are not supported.