Secondary Analysis of Data from a Randomized Controlled Trial of Stellate Ganglion Block for Treating Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Abstract
A procedure called stellate ganglion block (SGB) has been shown by our team’s prior research to be effective in treating symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The new study proposed here will analyze data gathered in the course of our previous study to answer additional questions that will be of benefit to active duty service members (ADSM), veterans, civilians, and healthcare providers. PTSD is experienced by up to 20% of military veterans and is frequently accompanied by other behavioral health disorders such as depression and anxiety, as well as physical pain. Symptoms may have persisted for decades, or they may have started more recently, sometimes the result of a single trauma and other times the result of multiple traumas. Evaluating the ways in which these characteristics may help or hinder the effectiveness of SGB shown in our prior study is important, because doing so will help health providers have a better idea of when SGB is a good option for their patients. There are a number of ways to assess PTSD symptoms, including the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5) and the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5). The CAPS-5 is administered by a licensed and credentialed behavioral health provider, and its questions are geared toward characterizing the 20 symptoms of PTSD. The CAPS-5 frequently takes more than an hour to administer and can be traumatizing for those suffering from PTSD to undertake due to the nature and detail of the questions. The PCL-5, however, can be administered via paper and pencil, or on a computer, and also assesses the 20 symptoms of PTSD. It is less burdensome and traumatizing to individuals because they can do the assessment on their own. Individual and family perspectives regarding potential PTSD treatments are critical—PTSD impacts not only the sufferer but also their friends and families. If an individual is unwilling to undergo a given treatment regimen, that regimen will not be effective. The study proposed here will analyze data geared toward addressing these issues and more—the impact of anxiety, depression, pain and other conditions; the duration of the PTSD symptoms; how long it takes for SGB to work; and the degree to which the number of traumas impacts SGB effectiveness. The study will also determine whether the PCL-5 is a valid and useful way of characterizing PTSD severity, when compared to the gold-standard CAPS-5. Finally, the study will entail analysis of conversations our team had with those receiving SGB for PTSD and their families, to characterize their thoughts about the treatment. The analyses proposed here can benefit not only ADSM but their families, veterans, and the general public. The answers to the questions posed here will help providers determine whether SGB may be a reasonable treatment option for PTSD in their patients. These answers may also help providers determine whether SGB should be more broadly offered throughout the country to help those suffering from PTSD and their families gain back the quality of life they once had.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 10, 2021
- Source ID
- W81XWH2010847
Entities
People
- Kristine Rae Olmsted
Organizations
- RTI International
- United States Army