The short term effects of naproxen sodium on treatment satisfaction and headache as a side-effect of electroconvulsive therapy: A preliminary study

Abstract

Objective: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has a prominent place in current psychiatry. One of the most common side effects of this therapy is headache. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effects of naproxen sodium given prior to ECT on headache and treatment satisfaction. Methods: The study was designed as prospective, randomized and blind. Twenty patients received 550 mg of naproxen sodium 90 minutes before the first and second ECT sessions while the patients in the control group received placebo (powdered glucose). Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was applied 30 minutes after the session and Treatment Satisfaction Scale was applied at the end of treatment. Results: The frequency of headache in the placebo group was significantly higher than that of the naproxen-treated (p<0.001). At the end of ECT sessions treatment satisfaction of naproxen-treated group was higher compared to the placebo group (p<0.001). Conclusions: Naproxen given prior to ECT sessions decreases the incidence of headache while increasing treatment satisfaction. Studies with larger samples and different drug combinations are needed for further decrease of side effects of ECT.