The Efficacy of Early Propranolol Administration at Reducing PTSD Symptoms in Pediatric Injury Patients: A Pilot Study

Initial research supports the use of propranolol to prevent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); research has not examined pharmacological prevention for children. Twenty-nine injury patients (ages 10-18 years old) at risk PTSD were randomized to a double-blind 10-day trial of propranolol or placebo initiated within 12 hours postadmission. Six-week PTSD symptoms and heart rate were assessed Although intent-to-treat analyses revealed no group differences, findings supported a significant interaction between gender and treatment in medication-adherent participants, Delta R-2 = .21. Whereas girls receiving propranolol reported more PTSD symptoms relative to girls receiving placebo, Delta R-2 = .44, boys receiving propranolol showed a nonsignificant trend toward fewer PTSD symptoms than boys receiving placebo, Delta R-2 = .32. Findings infirm gender differences regarding pharmacological PTSD prevention in youth.