Early interventions for the prevention of PTSD in adults: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Background: Secondary interventions are implemented within a short interval following the occurrence of traumatic events with the purpose of preventing the onset of PTSD. Objective: Analyze the results of studies that assessed post-trauma interventions in adults aimed at preventing the onset of PTSD or symptoms related to PTSD. Methods: We performed literature searches using the search expression [(Early intervention OR secondary prevention) AND (Post traumatic stress disorder OR PTSD)] for articles published until October 2016. Among the references found, 29 fulfilled the selection criteria established for the review. Data were divided and analyzed according to the type of intervention: pharmacological or psychological. Results: Psychological measures used in the studies lack homogeneity regarding the type of intervention and the assessment of intervention outcomes. Pharmacological interventions were less frequent and findings require replication, together with an expansion in the types of substances investigated. In general, many of the studies reviewed suggest that both pharmacological and psychological interventions are effective in the prevention of PTSD. Discussion: Future trials should be focused on determining the best interventions for the secondary prevention of PTSD. The combination of psychological and pharmacological interventions for post-trauma patients poses opportunities and challenges that remain unexplored.

Effect of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Humanistic and Interpersonal Training vs Internet-Based General Health Education on Adolescent Depression in Primary Care

“…Perhaps CATCH-IT “bored” or frustrated adolescents without current symptoms, or conversely, elicited increased surveillance of symptoms or stimulated memories of prior episodes. 47–49 Alternatively, adolescents who are not symptomatic may be less motivated to complete CATCH-IT, the more self-directed intervention, and may actually prefer HE, which did not require substantial effort, perhaps even gaining a sense of self-efficacy. 34,47,49–51 Also, despite spending substantial time engaged with this intervention, the low number of modules completed may have attenuated impact.…”

“…47–49 Alternatively, adolescents who are not symptomatic may be less motivated to complete CATCH-IT, the more self-directed intervention, and may actually prefer HE, which did not require substantial effort, perhaps even gaining a sense of self-efficacy. 34,47,49–51 Also, despite spending substantial time engaged with this intervention, the low number of modules completed may have attenuated impact. Additionally, the borderline significant findings favoring CATCH-IT with the completion of 2 modules (eTable3) suggest that there may also be a threshold effect whereby sufficient numbers of modules may need to be completed for CATCH-IT be more efficacious than HE.…”

Searching for Certainty During a Pandemic

“…The longitudinal perspective is important as we know today that the pandemic includes long-term consequences. In addition, our longitudinal findings are added to the recent attempts to lead an early prevention of PTSD ( Linares et al, 2017 ). Theoretically, by adapting PTSS items to be COVID-19–related, the current study adds to our understanding about the development of PTSD symptoms in pointing out the interactive effects of both worries and IU with media consumption during this unique period.…”

Trauma and Mental Health Awareness in Emergency Service Workers: A Qualitative Evaluation of the Behind the Seen Education Workshops

“…Psychoeducation about PTSD includes developing an understanding of PTSD, accepting its prevalence among ESW, normalizing the symptoms of PTSD, and adopting beliefs that treatment is helpful and acceptable [ 13 , 18 ]. However, there is a concomitant lack of certainty about the number of cases of PTSD that can be prevented through psychoeducation, the relative effectiveness of targeted versus universal prevention programs, and the optimum timing of interventions relative to traumatic incidents [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Broadly, there is a lack of research demonstrating the success of prevention interventions among ESW.…”