The efficacy of early propranolol administration at reducing PTSD symptoms in pediatric injury patients: A pilot study

Initial research supports the use of propranolol to prevent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); research has not examined pharmacological prevention for children. Twenty‐nine injury patients (ages 10–18 years old) at risk for PTSD were randomized to a double‐blind 10‐day trial of propranolol or placebo initiated within 12 hours postadmission. Six‐week PTSD symptoms and heart rate were assessed. Although intent‐to‐treat analyses revealed no group differences, findings supported a significant interaction between gender and treatment in medication‐adherent participants, Δ R 2 = .21. Whereas girls receiving propranolol reported more PTSD symptoms relative to girls receiving placebo, Δ R 2 = .44, boys receiving propranolol showed a nonsignificant trend toward fewer PTSD symptoms than boys receiving placebo, Δ R 2 = .32. Findings inform gender differences regarding pharmacological PTSD prevention in youth.