🏛️ Verified NIH Record • Updated 2025-01-20

ECT with Ketamine Anesthesia Vs High Intensity Ketamine with ECT Rescue for Treatment-Resistant Depression (NCT03272698)

A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial of Electroconvulsive Therapy with Ketamine Anesthesia (Standard Therapy) and High Intensity Ketamine with Electroconvulsive Therapy Rescue for Treatment-Resistant Depression - EAST HIKER Trial

🟢 Recruiting Phase4 💊 Investigational Drug / Biologic Sponsor: University of Saskatchewan

🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

To determine if an high intensity ketamine with ECT rescue (HIKER) approach for treatment resistant depression will: 1) reduce patient suffering by hastening disease remission, 2) have fewer side effects, 3) reduce the need for ECT, and 4) be preferred by most patients. Half of participants will be randomized to the HIKER arm and receive high intensity ketamine treatment for eight consecutive days, and the other half will be assigned to the ECT with ketamine anesthesia (EAST) arm and receive 8 ECT treatments (2-3 treatment/week)

Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (2 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (8 items).

Location: Royal University Hospital — Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Age range: 18 Years

🧪 Interventions in This Study

📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Check every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).

Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:

  • Exclusion Criteria:
  • Subjects will be ineligible if they cannot provide informed consent
  • American Society of Anesthesiology physical status score of four or greater
  • Implanted medical device with electronic parts (e.g. pacemaker, defibrillator, intrathecal pump, spinal cord stimulator, deep brain stimulator)
  • Schizoaffective disorder
  • Women of child-bearing potential will be asked to undergo a commercial urine pregnancy screening test. Those who refuse or screen positive will be excluded.
  • Allergic to any of the study drugs or their carrier components
  • Any serious physical condition prior to randomization deemed by the attending psychiatrist or consulting anesthetist to be a contraindication to ECT such as cardiovascular disease (including untreated hypertension), respiratory disease, cerebrovascular disease, intracranial hypertension (including glaucoma), or seizures.

🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.

📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)

  • Royal University Hospital — Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

📞 Contact the Study Coordinator

Phone: (306) 655-1183

Email: ung039@usask.ca

Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.

💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

  • 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
  • Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
  • Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

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💡 How to Participate

  1. Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
  2. Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
  3. Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
  4. Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.
🏛️ View Official NIH Record ↗