Rapid treatment center for depression in China: constructive reflections and transnational implications.
Zhan-Ming Shi, Xing-Bing Huang, Yan-Ling Zhou, Yu-Ping Ning, Gabor S Ungvari, Yu-Tao Xiang, Wei Zheng
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2025 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1582312 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Policy and practice review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | electroconvulsive therapy intravenous ketamine/esketamine esketamine nasal spray magnetic seizure therapy Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy |
| Topics | Depression Esketamine Ketamine |
| Keywords | Stanford neuromodulation therapy Electroconvulsive therapy Magnetic seizure therapy Mdd treatment Depression therapy Mental health interventions Psychiatric treatments Fast-track psychiatric care Rapid treatment centers Advanced depression therapies Novel depression treatments Cutting-edge psychiatric interventions Brain stimulation therapies |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Rapid treatment centers in China employ ECT, intravenous ketamine/esketamine, esketamine nasal spray, MST, and SNT to speed recovery from major depressive disorder, with potential insights for other regions. |
Abstract
Enhancing the early diagnosis and standardized treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), as advocated by the National Health Commission of China, is a key priority in the mental health initiatives of the nation. To achieve this, numerous evidence-based rapid treatment centers for MDD have been established or are currently under development across the country. These centers focus on the following primary treatment modalities for depression: electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), intravenous ketamine/esketamine, esketamine nasal spray, magnetic seizure therapy (MST), and Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT). This policy and practice review explored the application and modification of these techniques in treating depression in China, addressing their strengths and shortcomings. With particular focus on China's rapid antidepressant treatment strategies (e.g., ECT, intravenous ketamine/esketamine, esketamine nasal spray, MST, SNT), the current policy and practice review described their potential to speed up recovery thereby providing valuable insights for other countries and regions.