Online mECT Dose Calculator (ECT Charge in mC)
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) remains one of the most effective treatments for severe depression, catatonia, and treatment-resistant psychiatric conditions. Modern ECT devices deliver constant-current stimulation, which means the stimulus dose is best expressed as electrical charge, measured in millicoulombs (mC).
To make this easier to understand and teach, I have created a simple online mECT dose calculator below. It allows you to estimate the delivered charge (mC) based on three commonly used stimulus parameters:
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Pulse width (ms)
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Frequency (Hz)
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Stimulus duration (seconds)
Most modern ECT devices operate around a constant current of ~800 mA, and the delivered charge can be calculated using the formula:
Charge (mC) = Current × Pulse Width × Frequency × Duration
The calculator embedded below performs this calculation instantly.
ECT / MECT Charge Calculator
Estimate delivered electrical charge based on stimulus parameters.
Formula: Q = Current × Pulse Width × Frequency × Duration
Why Charge (mC) Matters in ECT
Unlike energy (Joules), charge directly reflects the electrical stimulus delivered to the brain in constant-current ECT systems. This makes it the most meaningful parameter for:
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seizure threshold titration
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teaching residents
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understanding stimulus dosing
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comparing stimulation parameters across devices
In clinical practice, the actual treatment dose is often given as a multiple of the patient’s seizure threshold, rather than a fixed charge value.
Disclaimer
This calculator is intended for educational and illustrative purposes only.
It is not a clinical decision-making tool and should not be used to determine treatment parameters for individual patients. ECT dosing must always be performed using approved medical devices, established treatment protocols, and clinical judgment by qualified professionals.
Actual stimulus delivery may vary depending on device characteristics, patient impedance, electrode placement, and seizure threshold.
Dr. Srinivas Rajkumar T, MD (AIIMS, New Delhi), DNB, MBA (BITS Pilani)
Consultant Psychiatrist & Neurofeedback Specialist
Mind & Memory Clinic, Apollo Clinic Velachery (Opp. Phoenix Mall)
✉ srinivasaiims@gmail.com 📞 +91-8595155808