전기경련치료에 대한 환자의 만족도 조사

Satisfaction Survey of Patients Toward Electroconvulsive Therapy

전기경련치료에 대한 환자의 인식과 태도를 파악하고자 설문 조사를 실시한 결과, 많은 환자들이 전기경련치료에 대한 만족도 및 부작용, 태도, 경험 등에서 대체로 긍정적인 응답을 하였다. 응답자 중에서 반수 이상이 전기경련치료 동안에 기억장애를 경험하였다. 본 연구에서는 전기경련치료의 만족도에 직접적으로 영향을 미치는 예측 요인을 확인하지는 못하였으나 전기경련치료 동안에 발생하는 일시적인 부작용들과 기억장애에 대한 예방, 조기 발견과 신속한 처치가 필요한 것을 알 수 있었다. 후속 연구에서 대상자 수의 확대와 다양한 변인들을 탐색함으로써 전기경련치료의 만족도를 높일 수 있는 예측 요인들을 규명할 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

Objectives This study examined the satisfaction of patients who had undergone electroconvulsive therapy to provide important information for improving the social misunderstanding about electroconvulsive therapy, to increase the effectiveness of treatment, and make a decision of effective treatment. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted to determine the satisfaction, adverse effects, attitudes, and experiences toward electroconvulsive therapy in patients at 2 to 4 weeks after finishing an acute course of electroconvulsive therapy in three psychiatric hospitals. Results There were 85 respondents (38 males), whose average age was 42.0±13.6 years and average illness duration was 12.8±8.9 years. Fifty-two patients (61.2%), 19 (22.4%), 8 (9.4%), and 6 (7.1%) were diagnosed with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and other mental disorders, respectively. The average session number for acute electroconvulsive therapy was 12.6±6.0 sessions, and 61 patients (71.8%) had received maintenance electroconvulsive therapy. Among the respondents, 60.0% reported that they were satisfied with the electroconvulsive therapy. Satisfaction was similar according to sex, age, diagnosis, electrode placement, and use of anesthetic agents. Forty-three (53.8%) patients experienced memory impairment during acute electroconvulsive therapy. Conclusion This study showed that patients who received electroconvulsive therapy were generally satisfied with the treatment and that memory impairment should be detected early and managed promptly. Follow-up studies with a large number of subjects and variables will be needed to determine the predictive factors affecting satisfaction toward electroconvulsive therapy.