Neurocognitive Performance is Not Degraded After Stellate Ganglion Block Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Series.
OBJECTIVE
To measure key neurocognitive performance effects following stellate ganglion block (SGB) administered to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.


METHODS
Eleven patients diagnosed, screened, and scheduled for SGB to treat their PTSD symptoms were administered a panel of eight cognitive measures before and 1 to 3 weeks after undergoing this procedure. PTSD symptoms were evaluated using the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Military.


RESULTS
One to three weeks post-SGB, none of the patients showed any statistically significant decline in neurocognitive performance. Rather, there was a clear trend in improvement, with four out of eight measures reaching statistical significance following SGB. All patients improved in PTSD symptoms with a mean improvement on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Military of 29.


CONCLUSIONS
In this case series of 11 patients, SGB effectively treated PTSD symptoms and did not impair reaction time, memory, or concentration. Therefore, SGB should be considered as a viable treatment option for personnel with PTSD symptoms who will be placed in demanding conditions such as combat.
Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Sean W
SW
Mulvaney
Stuttgart Army Health Clinic, CMR 489, Box 1742, APO, AE 09751.
James H
JH
Lynch
902nd MI Group, Fort Meade, MD 20755.
Jason
J
de Leeuw
Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060.
Matthew
M
Schroeder
USASOC(A), DCS Surgeon (AOMD), 2929 Desert Storm Drive, Fort Bragg, NC 28310.
Shawn
S
Kane
D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D009407:Nerve Block; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013233:Stellate Ganglion; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States