Russia Updates Depression Treatment Standard with New Therapies
Russia's Ministry of Health has updated the clinical standard for treating adult patients with recurrent depressive disorder, introducing a range of non-pharmacological therapies and expanded diagnostic procedures. The new standard, effective from October 3, includes methods such as electroacupuncture, transcranial magnetic stimulation, plasma exchange, and various other physical and neurological interventions.
Consensus
- The Ministry of Health of Russia has updated the clinical standard for medical care for adults with recurrent depressive disorder.
- The new standard replaces the one that had been in effect since 2022.
- The updated standard will take effect on October 3.
- Non-pharmacological treatment methods have been expanded in the new standard.
- Patients will undergo consultations with multiple specialists, including neurologists, ophthalmologists, therapists, urologists, and gynecologists.
- Laboratory tests for hepatitis B and C, HIV, and syphilis are included in the diagnostic requirements.
- Psychological and psychoeducational support is included in the standard.
- The standard includes procedures such as electroacupuncture, transcranial magnetic stimulatio, plasma exchange, and low-intensity laser therapy (intravenous blood irradiation).
- The standard specifies average frequencies of service delivery for each procedure, indicating that not all patients will receive every treatment.
Points of divergence
- The new standard excludes the drugs promazine, chlorprothixene, thioridazine, olanzapine, and imipramine from the list of medications for depression treatment. — kommersant
- Electroconvulsive therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation were already present in the previous standard, which was in effect since 2022. — fontanka
- The new standard includes thyroid hormone level testing, electroencephalography, transcranial Dopplerography, and MRI of the brain as part of diagnostic procedures. — vedomosti
- The standard includes biofeedback training based on EEG for central nervous system and brain disorders. — fontanka
- The standard includes hypoxic exposure and visible light irradiation as treatment methods. — fontanka
- The standard includes a mandatory urological examination for all patients with depression. — vm
- The standard includes daily psychiatric ward rounds in hospital settings. — vedomosti
- The standard specifies average frequencies for procedures such as electroacupuncture (0.000081), brain electro-neurostimulation (0.00041), and electroconvulsive therapy (0.00095). — fontanka
- The standard specifies a frequency of 0.057 for HIV/hepatitis/syphilis testing and 0.025 for urological consultation, indicating limited application. — fontanka
- The standard includes consultations with a medical psychologist. — kommersant
- Psychological therapy is now required for all patients, with an average of up to 14 sessions. — fontanka
Coverage (8 sources)
- Ministry of Health updated depression treatment standard: it includes electrostimulation and other non-drug methods — ASTRA
- Ministry of Health included electric shock treatment in new depression treatment standard — SOTAvision
- Ministry of Health approved new standard for treating depression in adult Russians — Коммерсантъ
- Urologist, currents, and 'laser for blood'. Patients with depression will be treated differently — Фонтанка
- Ministry of Health updated depression treatment standard — Вечерняя Москва
- Ministry of Health approved a new standard for treating depression in adults — Ведомости
- New standards for the treatment of depression have become known — Вести
- Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation updated the standard for treating depression. This follows from the draft order of the ministry, with which TASS became acquainted: — ТАСС (Telegram)