To explore the short-term and long-term effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on depression among adolescents and to determine the relationship between the effects of ECT and family functioning. Sixty-five adolescent inpatients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who received ECT were recruited. We assessed the severity of MDD with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-24 (HDRS-24) before (T0), 1-2 days after the end of ECT treatment (T1), and 3 months after the end of ECT treatment (T2). We calculated the reduction in HDRS scores at T1 (short-term effect) and T2 (long-term effect). Additionally, we examined the relationship between family functioning and the effects of ECT. The short-term response rate to ECT was 64.6%, but the long-term response rate decreased to 22.2%. HDRS scores were significantly lower at T1 and T2 than at T0 (P <
.01). Independent sample t tests showed that the mean scores for the communication, roles, affective responsiveness, affective involvement, and overall functionality dimensions of the Family Assessment Device were significantly lower in the responder group than in the nonresponder group at T2 (P <
.05). Forward entry binary logistic regression showed that the short-term effects of ECT were stronger among patients who were hospitalized in a psychiatric ward for the first time, and the affective involvement dimension of the Family Assessment Device was significantly negatively correlated with the long-term effects of ECT (P <
.05). ECT may be an effective intervention for MDD among adolescents
however, its short-term effects are more prominent than its long-term effects. In addition, family functioning may be related to long-term responses to ECT.