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Burback L, Brémault-Phillips S, Nijdam MJ, McFarlane A, Vermetten E. Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A State-of-the-art Review. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:557-635. [PMID: 37132142 PMCID: PMC10845104 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230428091433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This narrative state-of-the-art review paper describes the progress in the understanding and treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Over the last four decades, the scientific landscape has matured, with many interdisciplinary contributions to understanding its diagnosis, etiology, and epidemiology. Advances in genetics, neurobiology, stress pathophysiology, and brain imaging have made it apparent that chronic PTSD is a systemic disorder with high allostatic load. The current state of PTSD treatment includes a wide variety of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches, of which many are evidence-based. However, the myriad challenges inherent in the disorder, such as individual and systemic barriers to good treatment outcome, comorbidity, emotional dysregulation, suicidality, dissociation, substance use, and trauma-related guilt and shame, often render treatment response suboptimal. These challenges are discussed as drivers for emerging novel treatment approaches, including early interventions in the Golden Hours, pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions, medication augmentation interventions, the use of psychedelics, as well as interventions targeting the brain and nervous system. All of this aims to improve symptom relief and clinical outcomes. Finally, a phase orientation to treatment is recognized as a tool to strategize treatment of the disorder, and position interventions in step with the progression of the pathophysiology. Revisions to guidelines and systems of care will be needed to incorporate innovative treatments as evidence emerges and they become mainstream. This generation is well-positioned to address the devastating and often chronic disabling impact of traumatic stress events through holistic, cutting-edge clinical efforts and interdisciplinary research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Burback
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | | | - Mirjam J. Nijdam
- ARQ National Psychotrauma Center, Diemen, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Eric Vermetten
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA
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Funderburk JS, Pigeon WR, Shepardson RL, Wade M, Acker J, Fivecoat H, Wray LO, Maisto SA. Treating depressive symptoms among veterans in primary care: A multi-site RCT of brief behavioral activation. J Affect Disord 2021; 283:11-19. [PMID: 33516082 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Behavioral activation is ideal for embedded behavioral health providers (BHPs) working in primary care settings treating patients reporting a range of depressive symptoms. The current study tested whether a brief version of Behavioral Activation (two 30-minute appointments, 2 boosters) designed for primary care (BA-PC) was more effective than primary care behavioral health treatment-as-usual (TAU) in reducing depressive symptoms and improving quality of life and functioning. METHODS Parallel-arm, multi-site randomized controlled trial. 140 Veterans were randomized to BA-PC or TAU and completed assessments at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. RESULTS Reductions in depressive symptoms were observed in both groups between baseline and 3-weeks prior to any treatment, with continued reductions among those in the BA-PC condition through 12-weeks. However, there was no significant condition X time interaction at 12-weeks. Quality of life and mental health functioning were significantly improved for those in the BA-PC condition, compared to TAU, at 12 weeks. LIMITATIONS Generalizability to a broader population may be limited as this sample consisted of veterans. Although engagement in TAU matched other prior work, it was lower than engagement in BA-PC, which also may compromise results. CONCLUSIONS Although this study found that both TAU and BA-PC participants showed a decline in depressive symptoms, improvements in functioning and quality of life within those assigned to BA-PC, strong treatment retention and feasibility of BA-PC, and significant reductions in depressive symptoms among those with more severe baseline depressive symptoms are encouraging and support continued research on BA-PC. This trial was registered in clinicaltrials.gov as Improving Mood in Veterans in Primary Care (NCT02276807).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer S Funderburk
- VA Center for Integrated Healthcare, Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY, USA; Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
| | - Wilfred R Pigeon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA; VA VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Finger Lakes VA Medical Center, Canandaigua, NY, USA
| | - Robyn L Shepardson
- VA Center for Integrated Healthcare, Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY, USA; Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Michael Wade
- VA Center for Integrated Healthcare, Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - John Acker
- VA Center for Integrated Healthcare, Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Hayley Fivecoat
- VA Center for Integrated Healthcare, Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY, USA; Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Laura O Wray
- VA Center for Integrated Healthcare, Western New York VA Medical Center, Buffalo, NY, USA; Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Stephen A Maisto
- VA Center for Integrated Healthcare, Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY, USA; Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
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