Effect of preemptive midazolam on post-electroconvulsive-therapy (ECT) headache, myalgia, and nausea and vomiting

Abstract

Background: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a controlled electrical stimulus that affects central nervous system and leads to convulsion. Such as every other medical procedure, electroconvulsive therapy has some side effects like headache, myalgia, and nausea and vomiting. Patient undergoing electroconvulsive therapy receives deferent anesthetic drugs and some drugs like Midazolam, Atropine etc. to reduce side effects. Methods: This study included 40 patients who were candidates for receiving electroconvulsive therapy. By using convenience sampling, patients were divided into 2 groups of 20 people. Midazolam were given to one group while the other received placebo. Two patients in midazolam group were removed because of short period of convulsion (lower than 20 seconds). The collected data were analyzed using independent t and chi-square tests. Findings: 16 men (42.1) and 22 women (57.9) were studied. The incidence of headache (P < 0.001), myalgia (P = 0.014) and vomiting (P = 0.011) was significantly higher in witness group. The incidence of coughing and laryngospasm was not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.050). Conclusion: Midazolam can reduce convulsion time but in most cases, convulsions last more than 25 seconds, which is in therapeutic range. So, it cannot affect the therapeutic value of electroconvulsive therapy. Preemptive midazolam reduces Post-electroconvulsive-therapy headache, myalgia, and nausea. © 2017, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All Rights Reserved.