The Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy on Health Services Utilization, Positive and Negative Syndrome, and Sleep among Psychiatric Patients

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has become the mainstream of the countries in the treatment of chronic psychiatric patients. In order to improve the care quality of Electroconvulsive therapy, we explore whether psychiatric patients will reduce the health services utilization after their ECT. In the first year, the purpose of this study is to investigate their health services utilization after 1 and 2 years in the ECT treatment based on patients’ treatment times and period. We will include the National Health Insurance database 2002-2007 psychiatric inpatients to explore the association between ECT and their subsequent health services utilization. Then the meta-analysis will be executed to find out the most effective design of the ECT to maximize its therapeutic effect for psychiatric patients. Finally, we will evaluate the effect of ECT for these patients compared to the control group. To continue tracking the long-term effect of ECT, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Actigrapgy, and sleep diary will be administered after one, six, and twelve ECT and one month later. The SPSS 20.0 statistical software will be used to analyze the data. Consequently, this study will expect to be in-depth understanding of the relationship between sleep and electrotherapy, indirectly, to enhance the quality of nursing care for psychiatric patients.