Use of electroconvulsive therapy in Nordic and western European countries

Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review

Contributors

  • Richard Braithwaite - , Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (Author)
  • Ali Amad - , Université de Lille, King's College London (KCL) (Author)
  • Carlo Ignazio Cattaneo - , Local Health Authority of Biella (Author)
  • Jan Di Pauli - , Landeskrankenhaus Rankweil (Author)
  • Martha Finnegan - , Trinity College Dublin, Tallaght University Hospital (Author)
  • Pedro Frias - , Local Health Unit of Baixo Alentejo, NOVA University Lisbon (Author)
  • Manuel Gonçalves-Pinho - , University of Porto, Local Health Unit of Tâmega e Sousa (Author)
  • Michael Grözinger - , RWTH Aachen University (Author)
  • Kaija Järventausta - , Tampere University, Tampere University Hospital, Satakunta Wellbeing County (Author)
  • Anders Jørgensen - , University of Copenhagen, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark (Author)
  • Saana Karttunen - , Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu (Author)
  • Ute Keßler - , University of Bergen, Haukeland universitets­sjukehus (Author)
  • Pia Nordanskog - , Linköping University, Region Östergötland (Author)
  • Jasmien Obbels - , KU Leuven (Author)
  • Albino J Oliveira-Maia - , Champalimaud Foundation, NOVA University Lisbon (Author)
  • Didi Rhebergen - , Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC) (Author)
  • Pascal Sienaert - , KU Leuven (Author)
  • Floris Quirijn Tas - , GGZ InGeest, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center (Author)
  • Saskia Wilhelmy - , Institute for the History of Medicine (Author)
  • George Kirov - , Cardiff University (Author)

Abstract

Abstract – Background – Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective medical treatment, yet provision varies internationally. We provide an up-to-date review of ECT practice in Nordic and western European countries. Methods – European experts contributed data from peer-reviewed literature, governmental publications, unpublished administrative datasets, and hitherto unpublished surveys. The primary outcome was the number of individuals treated with ECT in each country per year. Primary analysis compared the annual treated person rate per million population in the most recent year since 2015 for which data were available. Secondary analysis compared trends in rates over 25 years, in countries for which a reliable outcome was available at two or more time points. Results – Across 15 countries, 12 had data meeting primary analysis criteria. Of these, all Nordic countries had annual treated patient rates per million population over 200, Italy 2.7, and other western European countries between 30 and 100. German-, Dutch-, and French-speaking countries saw increases in ECT use over 25 years, while English-speaking countries exhibited declines. Unilateral placement varied from 16% of treatments in the United Kingdom to 79% in Norway. Everywhere, most ECT was given for depressive episodes. Conclusions – Although the optimal rate of use is unknown, widely differing rates across European nations suggest ECT is underused in some high-income countries, depriving patients of vital medical care. The European ECT community must support the development of reliable data collection on usage across the continent and service improvement where provision is underdeveloped, to ensure appropriate treatment is offered to all patients for whom it is indicated.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere84
JournalEuropean Psychiatry
Volume69
Issue number1
Early online date29 Jul 2026
Publication statusPublished - 2026
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0001-6650-8630/work/222763888
Scopus 105046462520

Keywords

Keywords

  • Electroconvulsive therapy, Europe, Scandinavia, depression, international comparison, electroconvulsive therapy