title: The efficacy of early propranolol administration at reducing PTSD symptoms in pediatric injury patients: a pilot study.
abstract: 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, Delta R(2) = .21. Whereas girls receiving propranolol reported more PTSD symptoms relative to girls receiving placebo, Delta R(2) = .44, boys receiving propranolol showed a nonsignificant trend toward fewer PTSD symptoms than boys receiving placebo, Delta R(2) = .32. Findings inform gender differences regarding pharmacological PTSD prevention in youth.
authors.affiliation: Alpert Brown Medical School and Bradley/Hasbro Children's Research Center, One Hoppin Street, Suite 204, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Nugent
authors.forename: Norman C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Christopher
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Crow
authors.forename: Lorin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ostrowski
authors.forename: Douglas L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Delahanty
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011433:Propranolol