[Future direction of the guideline for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)].

In order to discuss the future direction of the guideline for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in Japan, the present situation of the study was described after investigation of the original papers regarding clinical studies on ECT in Japan published between 1983-2005. The total number of original papers obtained was 290, which was rapidly increasing in recent years at 50 per year in 2005. These papers support overall the Criteria of Indication for ECT presented in the ECT Recommendation of the Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology. However, the majority of these studies are case reports and thus the evidence level is not so high. To systematically accumulate the evidence of high quality, multi-institute collaborative studies should be conducted. To facilitate making database for evidence, revising guideline, and opening information to the public, the ECT Task Force should be established within the Committee of Guideline for Mental Disorders. Additionally, it is necessary to study the experience and the degree of satisfaction of users of ECT.