Clinical Research Directory

Virtual Reality to Reduce Pre-procedure Anxiety Prior ECT

Lack of patient knowledge about ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) is a leading cause of treatment fear with 60% of ECT patients reporting high levels of anxiety. The purpose of this study is to determine if using Virtual Reality (VR) to allow patients' to experience a virtual ECT education session before treatment is useful in lowering treatment anxiety and increasing knowledge about ECT if compared to standard treatment. In addition, measuring heart rate and blood pressure levels before ECT treatment will allow us to assess changes in anxiety levels. Individuals who choose to participate will be placed (participant will have a 50% chance to be placed in either group) to view either a virtual reality video to experience a virtual ECT session, or to receive standard preparation, i.e. a discussion with a psychiatrist. Before and after this session participants will be asked to complete a measurement of their anxiety level and knowledge about ECT (ECT Attitude \& Knowledge Questionnaire). Just before ECT treatment, blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety level will be measured. Participants will also complete cognitive and depression assessments. This study will help to develop a relationship between healthcare providers and patients and their families to help with education before ECT treatment.

Multimodal Clinical Study of Electroconvulsive Therapy and Magnetic Seizure Therapy

To compare the efficacy and tolerability of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Effects of Repeated Electroconvulsive Therapy Sessions on Anesthetic Requirements

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for severe depression and other psychiatric disorders. ECT is usually given in several sessions on different days. During each session, patients receive short-acting anesthesia to ensure comfort and safety. This study aims to evaluate whether the amount of anesthetic medication required changes during repeated ECT sessions in the same patient. In addition, the study will examine the relationship between anesthetic dose, seizure duration, seizure quality (measured by postictal suppression index), and recovery time. This is a prospective observational study. All anesthesia and ECT procedures will be performed according to routine clinical practice. No additional intervention will be applied for research purposes.

Comparing Virtual Reality Simulation to High Fidelity Simulation as an Educational Modality for Electroconvulsive Therapy Training: A Non-Inferiority Study

The goal of this prospective, open-label non-inferiority randomized controlled trial is to investigate if Virtual Reality (VR) based simulation are an effective training tool for novice medical trainees. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is the VR-based electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) training program non-inferior to traditional, mannequin-based ECT training programs in fostering ECT skill acquisition? * What are the changes in confidence in administering ECT, as well as number of training repetitions completed in the VR and mannequin training groups? * What is the ease of use of the VR-based ECT training program? Researchers will compare the VR-based ECT training program to a mannequin-based ECT training program to see if the VR-based ECT training program is comparable to traditional methods at training for ECT. Participants will: * Complete an ECT skills assessment at the beginning and end of the study session. * Watch a 30-minute didactic ECT lecture video. * Be randomized to either the VR ECT simulation group or the mannequin ECT simulation group and be given 30 minutes to practice ECT administration with their assigned education tool.

Development of Virtual Reality for Nursing Students: Electroconvulsive Therapy

Project: "Development of virtual reality for nursing students: ECT" For this project the researchers will adapte 'health belief model' as a core concept for developing knowledge, attitude and skills of nursing students to take care of psychiatric patients with ECT. For their practice, the participants will be taught to take care of patients with ECT into 3 phases: before, during, and after ECT. The researchers believe that this VR technology will help Thai-nursing students better understand and know how to take care of patients with ECT. This project will consist of two phase. phase I: developing VR- ECT technology for nursing students. we will pilot test VR-ECT in Nursing students by randomizing nursing students volunteers into two groups: an experimental group and waitlist control group (N = 140). Knowledge, attitude and satisfaction and self-confidence will be measured at baseline (day 1), week 8 after intervention complete

Blood Biomarkers in Electroconvulsive Therapy

The present multi-disciplinary study will assess blood biomarkers to investigate putative mechanisms of action of ECT. Laboratory findings will be correlated to clinical parameters, cognitive measures and psychometric outcome measures. The aim is to elucidate the underlying mechanisms for both treatment effects and cognitive side effects of ECT.