The study is the largest direct comparison of both treatments. ECT is one of the fastest and most effective therapies for difficult-to-treat depression.
The study found that ketamine, administered intravenously, was at least as effective as ECT in patients with treatment-resistant depression who do not suffer from psychosis. But the number of ECT treatments may not have been enough, as the treatment period was only three weeks. effects of ketamine are not usually an unpleasant experience for patients, the study says.