Prof Declan McLoughlin

The KEEP-WELL Study

Photo of a microscope being used in research

The KEEP-WELL Trial aimed to assess the use of ketamine in preventing relapse following electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Relapse – or the reappearance of depressive symptoms - after a course of ECT is a key clinical challenge.

The KEEP-WELL Trial, carried out at St Patrick’s University Hospital, was a randomised pilot trial, evaluating the utility of ketamine in relapse prevention following ECT.

Participants referred for ECT were observed before, during, and after a course of ECT. Those who responded to ECT were then invited to participate in the subsequent randomised phase of the trial, during which they received four once-weekly infusions of ketamine or active comparator, midazolam.

Participants were followed up for six months after ECT to assess for relapse.

An article on the pilot trial was published in the Journal of ECT.

You can see more information on the KEEP-WELL Trial in the journal here.

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The KINDRED Trial

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