Convulsive Shock Therapy in Patients Over Seventy Years of Age With Affective Disorders

Experience with a group of 30 patients all past 70 shows that convulsive shock therapy is well tolerated by the aged. Convulsive shock therapy in the aged can be made more safe if curare modification of the convulsion is utilized. The organic defects and diseases of old age are not necessarily contraindications for curare electroshock therapy. Follow-up studies show that half of this group of patients obtained sustained recoveries or sufficient recovery to remain functional in society. Evaluation and retreatment of relapses suggest that prompt treatment of recurrences will produce an early remission and prevent prolonged hospitalization. No conclusions can be drawn regarding the death rate in this group.