Supportive psychological therapy can effectively treat post-stroke post-traumatic stress disorder at the early stage

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after stroke attacks, and its rate ranges from 4 to 37% in the stroke population. Suffering from PTSD not only decreases stroke patient’s quality of life, but also relates to their non-adherence of treatment. Since strokes often recur and progress, long-term medical management is especially important. However, previous studies generally focused on the epidemiological characteristics of post-stroke PTSD, while there are literally no studies on the psychological intervention. In our study, 170 patients with a first-ever stroke during the acute phase were recruited. They were randomized into Psycho-therapy group 1 and Control group 1, and were administered with preventive intervention for PTSD or routine health education, respectively. At 2-month follow-up, PTSD symptoms were evaluated. Participants who were diagnosed with post-stroke PTSD were further randomized into Psycho-therapy group 2 and Control group 2, and received supportive therapy or routine health counseling, respectively. At 6-month follow-up (1°month after the therapy was completed), PTSD symptoms were re-evaluated. Our results showed that at 2-month, the PTSD incidence in our series was 11.69%, and the severity of stroke was the only risk factor for PTSD development. The preventive intervention was not superior to routine health education for PTSD prevention. At 6-month, results indicated the supportive therapy did have a fine effect in ameliorating symptoms for diagnosed PTSD patients, superior to routine health counseling. Thus, our study was the first to provide evidence that the supportive therapy was effective in treating post-stroke PTSD early after its diagnosis. This clinical trial was preregistered on www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2100048411).

Neurologic Injury-Related Predisposing Factors of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Critical Examination

“…The literature on specifically treating PTSD in a post-stroke population is now showing some progress. Jiang et al conducted a randomized controlled trial on 170 first-ever stroke patients and provided modest evidence that supportive psychological therapy can effectively treat post-stroke PTSD in its early stages [99]. A recent case report also showed clinically significant resolution of PTSD symptoms following three sessions of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy [100].…”

Impact of the intensive psychological intervention care on post-traumatic stress disorder and negative emotions of teenage female patients seeking an induced abortion

“…Furthermore, a large epidemiological study demonstrated that women with PTSD had an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, premature delivery, and fetal overgrowth (12). Effective management of PTSD can be achieved through psychological and pharmacological interventions (13,14). To reduce or prevent the occurrence of PTSD, it is important to provide psychological intervention to adolescent patients who have undergone induced abortion.…”