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The efficacy of early propranolol administration at reducing PTSD symptoms in pediatric injury patients: A pilot study
Author(s) -
Nugent Nicole R.,
Christopher Norman C.,
Crow John P.,
Browne Lorin,
Ostrowski Sarah,
Delahanty Douglas L.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.20517
Subject(s) - propranolol , administration (probate law) , medicine , psychology , psychiatry , anesthesia , political science , law
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.