scholarly journals Electroconvulsive Therapy with a Memory Reactivation Intervention for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor M. Tang ◽  
Kathleen Trought ◽  
Kristina M. Gicas ◽  
Mari Kozak ◽  
Sheena A. Josselyn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Memory ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Memory Reactivation ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Post Traumatic

AbstractIntroductionPost-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) often does not respond to available treatments. Memories are vulnerable to disruption during reconsolidation, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has amnestic effects. We sought to exploit this phenomenon as a potential treatment for PTSD with a clinical trial of patients with PTSD receiving ECT.MethodsTwenty-eight participants with severe depression with comorbid PTSD referred for ECT treatment were randomly assigned to reactivation of a traumatic or non-traumatic memory using script driven imagery prior to each ECT treatment. Primary outcomes were change in scores on the Modified PTSD Symptom Scale - Self Report (MPSS-SR) and the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5). Assessments were completed by blinded raters. Secondary outcomes included a comparison of the change in heart rate while listening to the script.ResultsTwenty-five patients who completed a post-ECT assessment were included in the analysis. No significant group differences were found in the MPSS-SR or CAPS-5 scores from pre-ECT to post-ECT or 3-month follow-ups. However, both groups improved at post-ECT and 3-month follow up. Partial eta squared estimates of effect size showed large effect sizes for all outcomes (η2 > 0.13). Changes in heart rate were not significantly different between groups or over time.ConclusionsIn this RCT, ECT paired with pre-treatment traumatic memory reactivation was not more effective for treating PTSD symptoms than ECT alone. While our primary hypothesis was not supported, our data provides further support for the efficacy of ECT for improving symptoms of PTSD with comorbid depression.ClinicalTrials.govhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04027452Identifier: NCT04027452

Heart Rate Variability, Sleep, and the Early Detection of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

2018 ◽  
pp. 253-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geert J. M. van Boxtel ◽  
Pierre J. M. Cluitmans ◽  
Roy J. E. M. Raymann ◽  
Martin Ouwerkerk ◽  
Ad J. M. Denissen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic

scholarly journals Cardiorespiratory Fitness as Protection Against the Development of Memory Intrusions: a Prospective Trauma Analogue Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eline Voorendonk ◽  
Thomas Meyer ◽  
Sascha B. Duken ◽  
Vanessa van Ast
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Memory Function ◽  
Traumatic Memory ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Analogue Study ◽  
Post Traumatic

Intrusive and distressing memories are at the core of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Since cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has been linked with improved mental health, emotion regulation, and memory function, CRF may, by promoting these capabilities, protect against the development of intrusions after trauma. We investigated this idea in 115 healthy individuals, using a trauma film to induce intrusions. As potential mediators, we assessed indices of pre-trauma mental health such as heart rate variability, subjective and psychobiological peri-traumatic responses, and memory. Critically, results showed that higher CRF was related to fewer intrusions, but no mediators emerged of the CRF-intrusion relationship. These results indicate that individuals displaying higher CRF are less prone to develop traumatic memory intrusions. This suggests that promoting fitness prior to possible trauma exposure may provide a useful strategy to boost resilience against the development of debilitating re-experiencing symptoms of PTSD.

scholarly journals Outdoor recreational activity experiences improve psychological wellbeing of military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder: Positive findings from a pilot study and a randomised controlled trial

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0241763
Author(s):  
Mark Wheeler ◽  
Nicholas R. Cooper ◽  
Leanne Andrews ◽  
Jamie Hacker Hughes ◽  
Marie Juanchich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Outdoor Activity ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Post Traumatic

Exposure to the natural environment is increasingly considered to benefit psychological health. Recent reports in the literature also suggest that outdoor exposure that includes recreational pursuits such as surfing or fishing coupled with opportunities for social interaction with peers may be beneficial to Armed Forces Veterans experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Two studies were conducted to evaluate this possibility. In particular, these studies aimed to test the hypothesis that a brief group outdoor activity would decrease participants’ symptoms as assessed by established measures of PTSD, depression, anxiety and perceived stress, and increase participants’ sense of general social functioning and psychological growth. Experiment one employed a repeated measures design in which UK men and women military veterans with PTSD (N = 30) participated in a group outdoor activity (angling, equine care, or archery and falconry combined). Psychological measures were taken at 2 weeks prior, 2 weeks post, and at 4 month follow up. We obtained a significant within participant main effect indicating significant reduction in PTSD symptoms. Experiment two was a waitlist controlled randomised experiment employing an angling experience (N = 18) and 2 week follow up. In experiment 2 the predicted interaction of Group (Experimental vs. Waitlist Control) X Time (2 weeks pre vs. 2 weeks post) was obtained indicating that the experience resulted in significant reduction in PTSD symptoms relative to waitlist controls. The effect size was large. Additional analyses confirmed that the observed effects might also be considered clinically significant and reliable. In sum, peer outdoor experiences are beneficial and offer potential to complement existing provision for military veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Trial registration The authors confirm that all ongoing and related trials for this intervention are registered. The studies reported in this manuscript are registered as clinical trials at ISRCTN: Pilot ID– ISRCTN15325073 RCT ID– ISRCTN59395217

scholarly journals Characteristics of Heart Rate Variability in War Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after Myocardial Infarction

2007 ◽  
Vol 172 (11) ◽  
pp. 1190-1193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nenad Lakusic ◽  
Krunoslav Fuckar ◽  
Darija Mahovic ◽  
Dusko Cerovec ◽  
Marcel Majsec ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
War Veterans ◽  
Post Traumatic

Abstract 17013: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is Associated with Adverse Non-Linear Heart Rate Variability in Veteran Twins

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danesh K Kella ◽  
Rachel Lampert ◽  
Forrester Lee ◽  
Jack Goldberg ◽  
Douglas Bremner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Power Law ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Vietnam Era ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Current Ptsd

BACKGROUND: Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have higher risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) incidence and mortality. Psychological conditions may have an adverse effect on the autonomic nervous system, and may in part have genetic origins. Novel non-linear measures of heart rate variability (HRV), such as fractal dimension (FD) and power law slope have been associated with mortality and may signify autonomic dysfunction. We hypothesized that PTSD is associated with reduced FD and increased power law slope, suggesting higher mortality risk. METHODS: FD and power law slope were measured from 24-hour Holter recordings in 416 predominantly healthy middle-aged male twins from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry. Current (symptoms within the past month) and remitted (past history of) PTSD were measured using the Structured Clinical Interview for Psychiatry Disorders. Mixed-effect regression models were used to adjust for twin clustering and account for genetic/familial influences. RESULTS: The mean age was 56 ± 3 years, 35 had current PTSD, and 46 had remitted PTSD. In models that analyzed twins as individuals, current PTSD was significantly associated with 22% reduced FD and 18% increased power law slope. This association persisted for power law slope after adjustment for traditional risk factors, lifestyle factors, depression, and anti-depressant medication use (table). After controlling for genetic/familial factors by comparing twin brothers discordant for current PTSD within pairs (20 pairs), both measures remained significantly associated with current PTSD. Remitted PTSD did not influence HRV measures. No interaction by zygosity was found. CONCLUSIONS: Vietnam era veterans with PTSD have reduced FD and increased power law slope persisting after multivariable adjustment. This suggests that autonomic mechanisms, independent of genetic and familial effects, may contribute to increased CHD and mortality in veterans with PTSD.

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