Rush University Medical Center
The purpose of this study is to understand if we can improve the treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We are looking into whether the combination of Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) treatment and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) can reduce symptoms of PTSD. CPT is a trauma-focused talk therapy that can help identify and challenge unhelpful trauma-related beliefs about oneself, others, and the world. It is known to be a highly effective talk therapy for PTSD. SGB treatment is a procedure involving an injection of local anesthetic into a bundle of nerves located in the neck that is part of the sympathetic nervous system which controls our body's response to stressful situations and blocks pain. The proposed project will systematically test whether combining CPT with SGB produces greater PTSD symptom reductions and functional improvements in the short- and longer-term up to 6-months follow-up compared to CPT (+Placebo) or SGB (+Daily Monitoring) alone.
Inclusion Criteria: * Are 18 years or older * Are fluent in English * Have experienced a Criterion A traumatic event during their lifetime * Have a PTSD diagnosis verified via the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 * Have not previously received a Stellate Ganglion Block * Have a smartphone that they can use for the entire duration of the study * Are willing and able to receive 2 injections (SGB or placebo) 2 weeks apart at the Rush Pain Clinic * Are willing and able to participate in daily Cognitive Processing Therapy or Daily Monitoring over the course of one week * Are willing and…
Cognitive Processing Therapy is a first-line, gold-standard psychotherapy intervention for the treatment of PTSD.
Stellate Ganglion Blocks are an injection of local anesthetic into the stellate ganglion, a collection of nerves in the side of the neck.
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