Propranolol, a drug that treats cardiovascular disorders and used in coronary insufficiency, heart failure and high blood pressure, is also believed to be effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, in combination with cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, according to results of a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Researchers at McGill University in Canada conducted a study with 60 adults suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. This syndrome had been caused by various traumatic events such as physical assault, rape, a road accident, stressful events linked to the war (captivity or injury).
Scientists administered propranolol once a week for 6 weeks, and 90 minutes before a session of cognitive behavioral psychotherapy.
This drug, a noradrenergic beta-blocker, is a molecule used against in cardiovascular illnesses like coronary insufficiency,heart failure and thearterial hypertension. This molecule interferes with the autonomic nervous system, which has allowed a backdoor prescription to manage the stress of exams.
Post-traumatic stress symptoms reduced with propranolol
The results of the study showed that after 6 weeks, the symptoms of post-traumatic stress, analyzed using the international CAPS scale, were more reduced in the propranolol group than in the placebo group with a difference of 11, 50 points. The evaluation carried out by the patient with a second scale, the PCL-S scale, shows a difference of 14.58 points between the two groups.
“The overall improvement exceeds 40% in the propranolol group against less than a quarter in the placebo group. According to the patients, this improvement is even more important ”, concludes Dr. Alain Brunet, author of the study.
Read also:
In women, post-traumatic stress increases the risk of lupus
Mindful meditation against post-traumatic stress
Israeli invents method of psychological “first aid”
