The EQ-5D and SF-36 achieved mixed results in the quantitative testing against psychometric criteria .
The qualitative analysis suggests this is because they provide a very limited coverage of themes identified by people with mental health problems .
BACKGROUND Generic preference-based measures of health like the EQ-5D and SF-6D ( ® ) are increasingly being used in economic evaluation and outcome assessment .
However , there are concerns as to whether or not these generic measures are appropriate for use in people with mental health problems .
OBJECTIVES The EQ-5D and SF-36 ( ® ) ( including its derivatives the SF-12 ( ® ) and SF-6D ) were assessed using the psychometric criteria of validity and responsiveness using quantitative and qualitative methods .
Another aim was to estimate mapping functions between the EQ-5D and SF-6D and condition-specific measures , where appropriate .
A randomized, controlled trial with 6-month follow-up of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroconvulsive therapy for severe depression.
OBJECTIVE Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation ( rTMS ) has been reported to be as effective as electroconvulsive therapy ( ECT ) for major depression . The authors conducted a multicenter r and omized , controlled trial to test the equivalence of rTMS with ECT . METHOD Forty-six patients with major depression referred for ECT  were r and omly assigned to either a 15-day course of rTMS of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex ( N=24 ) or a st and ard course of ECT ( N=22 ) . The primary outcome measures were the score on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( HAM-D ) and the proportion of patients with remissions ( Hamilton score , < or=8 ) at the end of treatment . Secondary outcomes included mood self-ratings on the Beck Depression Inventory-II and visual analogue mood scales , Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale ( BPRS ) score , and both self-reported and observer-rated cognitive changes . The patients were followed up after 6 months . RESULTS HAM-D scores at the end of treatment were significantly lower for ECT , with 13 patients ( 59.1 % ) achieving remission in the ECT group and four ( 16.7 % ) in the rTMS group . However , at 6 months the HAM-D scores did not differ between groups . Beck scale , visual analogue mood scale , and BPRS scores were lower for ECT at the end of treatment and remained lower after 6 months . Self- and observer-rated cognitive measures were similar in the two groups . CONCLUSIONS rTMS was not as effective as ECT , and ECT was substantially more effective for the short-term treatment of depression
The EQ-5D and SF-36 achieved mixed results in the quantitative testing against psychometric criteria .
The qualitative analysis suggests this is because they provide a very limited coverage of themes identified by people with mental health problems .
BACKGROUND Generic preference-based measures of health like the EQ-5D and SF-6D ( ® ) are increasingly being used in economic evaluation and outcome assessment .
However , there are concerns as to whether or not these generic measures are appropriate for use in people with mental health problems .
OBJECTIVES The EQ-5D and SF-36 ( ® ) ( including its derivatives the SF-12 ( ® ) and SF-6D ) were assessed using the psychometric criteria of validity and responsiveness using quantitative and qualitative methods .
Another aim was to estimate mapping functions between the EQ-5D and SF-6D and condition-specific measures , where appropriate .