What does this research mean for the field?

Electroconvulsive therapy causes a significant but transient impairment in balance performance at one hour post-treatment in patients with major depressive disorder, which fully resolves within 24 hours. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate acute alterations in balance and postural stability following the initial electroconvulsive therapy session in patients with major depressive disorder.

September 10, 2026Psychiatry InternationalOpen Access

Early Postural Instability After First Electroconvulsive Therapy in Major Depressive Disorder: Implications for Patient Safety

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Authors

BVBerrak Varhan YCYakup Cemel AAArzu Abalay

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Overview

Prospective observational study reveals transient balance impairment one hour after first electroconvulsive therapy in major depressive disorder, indicating a need for early fall-prevention measures.

Key Points

To evaluate acute alterations in balance and postural stability following the initial electroconvulsive therapy session in patients with major depressive disorder.
Prospective observational repeated-measures study of 22 adults (aged 18–65 years) diagnosed with major depressive disorder receiving their first electroconvulsive therapy session.
Balance was measured by a single physiotherapist using the Berg Balance Scale before treatment, at 1 hour post-treatment, and at 24 hours post-treatment, excluding participants with vestibular or neurological disorders.
Mean Berg Balance Scale score dropped significantly from 55.04 ± 1.78 at baseline to 40.22 ± 2.54 at 1 hour post-treatment (mean difference: +14.82 points, p < 0.001).
Postural stability recovered by 24 hours post-treatment with a mean score of 54.86 ± 1.64, representing a significant improvement from the 1-hour assessment (mean difference: −14.64 points, p < 0.001) and no significant difference from baseline (p = 0.640).

Cite This Study

Varhan et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa27ba958559d80afc75030 https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7050205

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September 10, 2026Psychiatry InternationalOpen Access

Early Postural Instability After First Electroconvulsive Therapy in Major Depressive Disorder: Implications for Patient Safety

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

BVBerrak Varhan YCYakup Cemel AAArzu Abalay

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Prospective observational study reveals transient balance impairment one hour after first electroconvulsive therapy in major depressive disorder, indicating a need for early fall-prevention measures.

Key Points

To evaluate acute alterations in balance and postural stability following the initial electroconvulsive therapy session in patients with major depressive disorder.
Prospective observational repeated-measures study of 22 adults (aged 18–65 years) diagnosed with major depressive disorder receiving their first electroconvulsive therapy session.
Balance was measured by a single physiotherapist using the Berg Balance Scale before treatment, at 1 hour post-treatment, and at 24 hours post-treatment, excluding participants with vestibular or neurological disorders.
Mean Berg Balance Scale score dropped significantly from 55.04 ± 1.78 at baseline to 40.22 ± 2.54 at 1 hour post-treatment (mean difference: +14.82 points, p < 0.001).
Postural stability recovered by 24 hours post-treatment with a mean score of 54.86 ± 1.64, representing a significant improvement from the 1-hour assessment (mean difference: −14.64 points, p < 0.001) and no significant difference from baseline (p = 0.640).

Cite This Study

Varhan et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa27ba958559d80afc75030 https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7050205

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark