Real-world evidence of age-independent electroconvulsive therapy efficacy: A retrospective cohort study.

Among 1698 patients aged 16 and older, ECT was associated with improvement in depression and overall self-reported mental health, with a slight decrease in cognition. Age was not associated with changes in efficacy, but older age was associated with a lesser cognitive change as measured by the MoCA. These results provide normative data of real-world effectiveness of ECT, and add further support to its utility in patients with severe psychiatric illness.