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, 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.
Nugent
Nicole R
NR
Alpert Brown Medical School and Bradley/Hasbro Children's Research Center, One Hoppin Street, Suite 204, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, USA.
Christopher
Norman C
NC
Crow
John P
JP
Browne
Lorin
L
Ostrowski
Sarah
S
Delahanty
Douglas L
DL
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*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011433:Propranolol