Freeman C P, Basson J V, Crighton A
Lancet. 1978 Apr 8;1(8067):738-40. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(78)90857-7.
40 patients prescribed electroconvulsive therapy (E.C.T.) for treatment of a depressive illness were randomly allocated to two groups. One group had the first two E.C.T. treatments replaced by simulated E.C.T. on a double-blind basis. The results show that E.C.T. is significantly superior to simulated E.C.T. in the treatment of depressive illness.