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Paroxetine-CR to Treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptomatic After Initial Exposure Therapy

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Registration Number
NCT00215163
Lead Sponsor
Duke University
Brief Summary

Both pharmacotherapeutic and psychosocial interventions have domenstrated efficacy for PTSD. However, although these interventions can be helpful, many patients remain symptomatic despite initial treatment. In this study, we will examine the relative efficacy of the addition of paroxetine-CR compared to placebo for patients remaining symptomatic despite a brief and intensive course of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

Detailed Description

This is a systematic controlled study examining the use of augmentation with pharmaotherapy for PTSD patients remaining symptomatic despite CBT (exposure therapy). The aims of the study include examination of: (1) the efficacy of paroxetine-CR compared to placebo as additions to ongoing exposure therapy in patients who failed to respond to brief, intensive CBT; (2) the tolerability of paroxetine-CR compared to placebo as additions to ongoing exposure therapy in patients who failed to respond to brief, intensive CBT; (3) the outcome of patients at 6 months follow-up to randomized treatment. Patients will initially have intensive (8 sessions over 4 weeks) prolonged exposure therapy. Patients who remain symptomatic will be randomzied to receive either flexibly-dosed paroxetine-CR (12.5 mg/d - 62.5 mg/d) or placebo in conjunction with additional 5 sessions of prolonged exposure over 10 weeks.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
17
Inclusion Criteria
  • Male or female outpatients at least 18 years of age with a primary (the condition that is most central to the patient's current distress) psychiatric diagnosis of PTSD as defined by DSM-IV criteria
  • Patients must have remained symptomatic (CGI-S > or = 3) and a score of at least 6 on the SPRINT after a minimum of 7 sessions of prolonged exposure (delivered within 6 weeks) to be eligible for randomized treatment.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Serious medical illness or instability for which hospitalization may be likely within the next 3 months
  • Pregnant or lactating women or those of childbearing potential not using medically accepted forms of contraception
  • Concurrent use of other psychotropic medications
  • Lifetime diagnosis of schizophrenia or any other psychotic disorder, mental retardation, organic mental disorders, or bipolar disorder
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, eating disorders, or alcohol/substance abuse disorders within the last 6 months
  • A current primary diagnosis of major depression, dysthymia, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder
  • A history of hypersensitivity or poor response to paroxetine or those using antidepressants, buspirone, or beta-blockers within 2 weeks of randomization
  • Concurrent dynamic or supportive psychotherapy if started within 2 months prior to onset of study entry

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Short PTSD Rating Interview (SPRINT)
Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS)
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Clinical Global Impressions Severity Scale (CGI-S)
Clinical Global Impressions Improvement Scale (CGI-I)
Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS)
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire/General Activities Subscale (Q-LES-Q/GA)
Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS)
Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC)
Post-Traumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI)
Severity of Symptoms Scale (SOSS)
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
World Assumptions Scale (WAS)
Mood-SR Lifetime

Trial Locations

Locations (4)

University of California at San Diego

🇺🇸

San Diego, California, United States

Duke University Medical Center

🇺🇸

Durham, North Carolina, United States

University of Pennsylvania

🇺🇸

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Massachusetts General Hospital

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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