Electroconvulsive Therapy Significantly Reduces Suicide Risk in Severe Depression Patients

A comprehensive new meta-analysis highlights the life-saving potential of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for individuals suffering from severe depression. The study reports that patients undergoing ECT are 34% less likely to die by suicide compared to those receiving standard treatments such as antidepressant medications. Beyond this, overall mortality rates from all causes were reduced by 30%, indicating broader health benefits associated with ECT.

This groundbreaking research, conducted by scientists at the University Psychiatric Clinics Basel in Switzerland, pooled data from 26 high-quality studies involving nearly 18,000 individuals treated with ECT and over 25,000 receiving standard care. The analysis revealed 208 suicides in the ECT group versus 988 in the control group, and 511 deaths from any cause compared to 1,325 in the control group.

Lead researcher Dr. Timur Liwinski emphasized that this is the first meta-analysis to demonstrate a survival benefit linked specifically to ECT in depression. He noted that state-of-the-art studies tend to show even greater benefits than older research, suggesting that modern ECT techniques may be more effective than previously thought. While evidence on newer treatments like rTMS and VNS remains limited, the data suggests that ECT offers a substantial reduction in suicide risk for patients with treatment-resistant depression.

Depression affects approximately 300 million people worldwide and significantly contributes to the nearly 700,000 annual suicide deaths, making it a critical public health issue. The research underscores the importance of effective neurostimulation therapies, particularly for those unresponsive to conventional medications.

This analysis also draws attention to the evolving safety and efficacy of ECT, which has been in use since the 1930s. Experts underscore that despite the limitations inherent to observational studies, the evidence consistently supports ECT as a vital intervention for reducing mortality and suicidality in severe depression. Overall, this study emphasizes the importance of accessible, high-quality treatment options for individuals at high risk of suicide.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-reduction-suicide-electroconvulsive-therapy-patients.html