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Using Reconsolidation Blockade to Treat Trauma Related Disorders After Paris Attacks: an Effectiveness Study

Phase 3
Completed
Conditions
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Interventions
Behavioral: Treatment as usual
Registration Number
NCT02789982
Lead Sponsor
Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is: (1) to examine the effectiveness of reconsolidation blockade as a treatment for trauma-related disorders, (2) to evaluate the feasibility of implementing this new treatment on a large scale in a short delay. This clinical trial as been set up in response to the Paris attacks to increase treatment capacity of the AP-HP (Assistance Publique des Hopitaux de Paris) hospital network.. Reconsolidation blockade will be compared to treatment as usual (TAU), on symptoms reduction after 6 weeks of treatment. In order to measure effectiveness and cost-utility, socioeconomic measures, quality of life and social functioning outcomes will be measured pre- and post-treatment as well as 3 and 12 months after study enrollment.

Detailed Description

The November 13th Paris attacks were the most violent and devastating events to occur in France since World War II. A large number of persons are likely to develop PTSD or trauma-related disorders, especially victims directly involved, their families, as well as the the first responders. In this context, there is an urgent need to enhance treatment resources. Psychotherapy is known to be effective but it is costly, and require qualified professionals. Pharmacotherapy (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor,SSRIs) is also considered effective. However, side effects often lead patients to abandon their treatment. An alternative evidence-based intervention is the use of the β-adrenergic blocker propranolol used to interfere with the reconsolidation of a recalled traumatic memory, so as to reduce its strength over time. This clinical trial will evaluate the effectiveness and cost-utility of reconsolidation blockade compared to treatment as usual. The study involves four assessments: pre- and post-treatment and 13 weeks and 1 year follow up. The outcome measures include: PTSD symptoms, socioeconomic variables, quality of life and social functioning measures. The investigators hypothesize that all patients will improve. However, patients receiving reconsolidation blockade will recover faster than treatment as usual. Finally, investigators hypothesize that reconsolidation blockade will be well accepted both by the professionals and the patients.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
364
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age 16 years or older
  • Suffer from PTSD, adjustment disorders or other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder
  • PTSD Checklist - Specific (PCL-S) > 44
  • Clinical Global Impression (CGI) > 3
  • Informed Consent Form signed
  • Fluency in French
Exclusion Criteria

Reconsolidation blockade group:

  • Resting systolic blood pressure < 100 mm Hg
  • Resting heart rate < 55 beats per minute
  • EKG significantly abnormal
  • Medical contraindication to use propranolol
  • Current use of medication that involve potentially dangerous interactions with propranolol
  • Previous adverse reaction to a β-adrenergic blocker
  • Current use of a β-adrenergic blocker
  • Patients taking psychotropic drugs which may interact with propranolol will be examined on a case-by-case basis

Both groups:

  • Subject under legal protection
  • Bipolar or psychotic disorder
  • Head trauma for less than one year or with clinical symptoms and neurological sequelae
  • Proven severe suicide risk (Mini-S and clinical assessment)
  • Opioid addiction or current alcohol dependence
  • Patients using SSRI for less than 2 months
  • Absence of affiliation to National french social security system
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding woman or without effective contraception

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Reconsolidation blockadeβ-adrenergic blocker propranololβ-adrenergic blocker propranolol 1 mg / kg to each of the 6 treatment sessions
Treatment as usualTreatment as usualTreatment as usual like SSRIs, psychotherapy, ...
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Medical resources usefrom baseline to 12 months follow-up

Costs, in Euros, related to healthcare utilization and work status are evaluated with the MEDico-Economic Questionnaire (MEDEC) adapted from the Client Service Receipt Inventory in order to meet the specificity of the French Health system

Quality of life assessed by EQ-5D-5L Euroquol questionnaireat 12- months follow-up

The EQ-5D-5L assesses five health dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. Each dimension is rated on five levels of severity. The levels of severity for each dimension ranges from no problems (1) to extreme problems/unable to perform (0)

The PTSD Checklist (PCL-S)change from baseline to 12 months follow-up

The PCL-S is a 17-item self-report scale assessing DSM-IV-TR PTSD symptoms in the past week from the perspective of the patient. The PSL-S range between 17 (no symptom) and 85 (maximum score)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (20)

Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière

🇫🇷

Paris, France

Hôpital Tenon

🇫🇷

Paris, France

Hôpital Sainte-Anne

🇫🇷

Paris, France

EPS Ville Evrard - site de Saint Denis

🇫🇷

Saint-Denis, France

Hôpitaux de Saint Maurice

🇫🇷

Saint-Maurice, France

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Martinique

🇲🇶

Fort-de-France, Martinique

Centre Hospitalier du Rouvray

🇫🇷

Sotteville-lès-Rouen, France

Centre Hospitalier Henri Laborit

🇫🇷

Poitiers, France

Hôpital Raymond Poincaré

🇫🇷

Garches, France

Hôpital Albert Chenevier

🇫🇷

Créteil, France

Hôpital Henri Mondor

🇫🇷

Créteil, France

Hôpital Corentin Celton

🇫🇷

Issy-les-Moulineaux, France

Grand Hôpital EST FRANCILIEN - site de Marne-la-Vallée

🇫🇷

Jossigny, France

Hôpital Bicêtre

🇫🇷

Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France

Centre Hospitalier Sainte Marie

🇫🇷

Nice, France

CHRU et CIC de LILLE

🇫🇷

Lille, France

Chu Pasteur

🇫🇷

Nice, France

Hôpital Maison Blanche Hauteville

🇫🇷

Paris, France

Grand Hôpital EST FRANCILIEN - site de Meaux

🇫🇷

Meaux, France

Hôpital Saint Antoine

🇫🇷

Paris, France

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