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Combined pharmacotherapy and psychological therapies for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

  1. Sarah E Hetrick1,*,
  2. Rosemary Purcell2,
  3. Belinda Garner2,
  4. Ruth Parslow3

Editorial Group: Cochrane Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Group

Published Online: 7 JUL 2010

Assessed as up-to-date: 8 JUN 2010

DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007316.pub2

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How to Cite

Hetrick SE, Purcell R, Garner B, Parslow R. Combined pharmacotherapy and psychological therapies for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD007316. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007316.pub2.

Author Information

  1. 1

    University of Melbourne, Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, Centre for Youth Mental Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

  2. 2

    Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

  3. 3

    University of Melbourne, Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

*Sarah E Hetrick, Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Locked Bag 10, 35 Poplar Road, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, 3054, Australia. shetrick@unimelb.edu.au.

Publication History

  1. Publication Status: New
  2. Published Online: 7 JUL 2010

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References

References to studies included in this review

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. References to ongoing studies
  4. Additional references
Cohen 2007 {published data only}
  • Cohen JA, Mannarino AP, Perel JM, Staron V. A pilot randomized controlled trial of combined trauma-focused CBT and sertraline for childhood PTSD symptoms. Journal of the American Adademy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 2007;46(7):811-9.
  • Tucker P, Davis L, Cohen J. Pharmacotherapy of PTSD: Trauma and neurotransmitters across the lifespan. 20th Annual Meeting: International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. New Orleans, LA, 2004; Vol. Nov 14-18.
Otto 2003 {published data only}
  • Otto MW, Hinton D, Korbly NB, Chea A, Ba P, Gershuny BS, Pollack MH. Treatment of pharmacotherapy-refractory post traumatic stress disorder among Cambodian refugees: a pilot study of combination treatment with cognitive-behavior therapy vs sertraline alone. Behaviour Research and Therapy 2003;41:1271-1276.
Rothbaum 2006 {published data only}
  • Connor M, Rothbaum B, Foa EB, Davidson JRT, Cahill S, Clary C. A controlled trial of combined sertraline and prolonged exposure therapy in posttraumatic stress disorder. European Neuropsychopharmacology 2002;12(Suppl 3):s335.
  • Davidson JRT, Payne VM, Connor KM, Foa EB, Rothbaum BO, Hertzberg MA, Weisler RH. Trauma, resilience and saliostasis: effects of treatment in post-traumatic stress disorder. International Clinical Psychopharmacology 2005;20:43-48.
  • Rothbaum BO, Cahill SP, Foa EB, Davidson JRT, Compton J, Connor KM, Astin MC, Hahn C. Augmentation of sertraline with prolonged exposure in the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Traumatic Stress 2006;19(5):625-638.
    Direct Link:
  • Rothbaum BO, Foa EB, Davidson JRT, Cahill SP, Connor KM. Augmentation of sertraline with cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of PTSD. 157th Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association. New York, 2004; Vol. May 1-6. [: NR513]
Simon 2008 {published data only}
  • Davidson J. Randomized Trial of Paroxetine-CR for the Treatment of Patients With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Remaining Symptomatic After Initial Exposure Therapy. Clinicaltrials.gov. [: NCT00215163]
  • Simon N. Randomised trial of paroxetine-CR for the treatment of patients with post traumatic stress disorder remaining symptomatic after initial exposure therapy. controlled-trials.com 2006.
  • Simon NM, Connor KM, Lang AJ, Rauch S, Krulewicz S, LeBeau RT, Davidson JR, Stein MB, Otto MW, Foa EB, Pollack MH. Paroxetine CR augmentation for posttraumatic stress disorder refractory to prolonged exposure therapy. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 2008;69(3):400-5.

References to studies excluded from this review

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. References to ongoing studies
  4. Additional references
Abramowitz 2008 {published data only}
  • Abramowitz EG, Barak Y, Ben-Avi I, Knobler HY. Hypnotherapy in the treatment of chronic combat-related PTSD patients suffering from insomnia: A randomized, zolpidem-controlled clinical trial. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 2008;56(3):270-80.
Bouso 2008 {published data only}
  • Bouso JC, Doblin R, Farre M, Alcazar MA, Gomez-Jarabo G. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy using low doses in a small sample of women with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2008;40(3):225-36.
Brunet 2008 {published data only}
  • Brunet A, Orrb SP, Tremblay J, Robertson K, Naderd K, Pitmanc RK. Effect of post-retrieval propranolol on psychophysiologic responding during subsequent script-driven traumatic imagery in post-traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Psychiatric Research 2008;42(6):503-6.
Chan 2008 {published data only}
  • Chan D. Depression and comorbid PTSD in veterans: Evaluation of collaborative care programs and impact on utilization and costs [PhD]. Seattle: University of Washington, 2007.
Clark 2008 {published data only}
  • Clarke SB, Rizvi SL, Resick PA. Borderline personality characteristics and treatment outcome in cognitive-behavioral treatments for PTSD in female rape victims. Behavior Therapy 2008;39(1):72-8.
Cottraux 2008 {published data only}
  • Cottraux J, Note I, Yao SN, de Mey-Guillard C, Bonasse F, Djamoussian D, Mollard E, Note B, Chen Y. Randomized controlled comparison of cognitive behavior therapy with Rogerian supportive therapy in chronic post-traumatic stress disorder: a 2-year follow-up. Psychotherapy & Psychosomatics 2008;77(2):101-10.
Drozdek 1997 {published data only}
Hinton 2004 {published data only}
  • Hinton DE, Pham T, Tran M, Safren SA, Otto MW, Pollack MH. CBT for Vietnamese refugees with treatment-resistant PTSD and panic attacks: a pilot study. Journal of Traumatic Stress 2004;17(5):429-33.
    Direct Link:
Hinton 2005 {published data only}
  • Hinton DE, Chhean D, Pich V, Safren SA, Hofmann SG, Pollack MH. A randomized controlled trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy for Cambodian refugees with treatment-resistant PTSD and panic attacks: a cross-over design. Journal of Traumatic Stress 2005;18(6):617-29.
    Direct Link:
Kessler 2003 {published data only}
  • Kessler RA. The differential impact of thought field therapy as a treatment modality for male perpetrators of domestic violence diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder. Dissertations Abstracts International 2003;63(12-B):6097.
Oflaz 2008 {published data only}
  • Oflaz F, Hatipoglu S, AAydin H. Effectiveness of psychoeducation intervention on post-traumatic stress disorder and coping styles of earthquake survivors. Journal of Clinical Nursing 2008;17(5):677-87.
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Osuch 2009 {published data only}
  • Osuch EA, Benson BE, Luckenbaugh DA, Geraci M, Post RM, McCann U. Repetitive TMS combined with exposure therapy for PTSD: A preliminary study. Journal of Anxiety Disorders 2009;23(1):54-9.
Resnick 2008 {published data only}
  • Resick PA, Galovski TE, O'Brien Uhlmansiek M, Scher CD, Clum GA, Young-Xu Y. A randomized clinical trial to dismantle components of cognitive processing therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder in female victims of interpersonal violence. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology 2008;76(2):243-58.
van der Kolk 2007 {published data only}
  • van der Kolk BA, Spinazzola J, Blaustein ME, Hopper JW, Hopper EK, Korn DL, Simpson WB. A randomized clinical trial of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), fluoxetine and pill placebo in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: treatment effects and long-term maintenance. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 2007;68(1):37-46.
Wright 2003 {published data only}
  • Wright TP. The effectiveness of behavioral activation group therapy: Treating comorbid depression on a specialized inpatient posttraumatic stress disorder unit for combat veterans. Dissertations Abstracts International 2003; Vol. 64, issue 1-B:0436.
Zucker 2009 {published data only}
  • Zucker TL, Samuelson KW, Muench F, Greenberg MA, Gevirtz RN. The effects of respiratory sinus arrhythmia biofeedback on heart rate variability and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: A pilot study. Applied Psychophysiology Biofeedback 2009;34(2):135-143.

References to ongoing studies

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. References to ongoing studies
  4. Additional references
Gamito 2005 {published data only}
  • Gamito P, Pacheco J, Ribeiro C, Pablo C, Saraiva T. Virtual war PTSD--A methodological thread. Annual Review of CyberTherapy and Telemedicine 2005;3:173-8.
Guay 2007 {published data only}
  • Guay S. RCT of CBT combined with d-cycloserine for treating PTSD or comparative study of the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder with or without d-cycloserine [NCT00452231]. Clinical-Trials.gov 2007.
Hicks 2009 {published data only}
  • Hicks PB, Adams ML, Litz B, Young K, Goldart J, Velez T, Penk W//Kotrla K. Predictors of Treatment Response to Fluoxetine in PTSD Following a Recent History of War Zone Stress Exposure. Military Health Research Forum, Kansas City, MO. August 31- September 3, 2009 [Conference Abstracts]. 2009.
McAllister 2009 {published data only}
  • McAllister TW, Fann J, Chard K. Venlafaxine and CBT for Psychological Distress After TBI: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Military Health Research Forum, Kansas City, MO. August 31- September 3, 2009 [Conference Abstracts]. 2009.
Pai 2004 {published data only}
  • Pai A, Riggs D, Volpicelli J, Imms P, Foa E. The role of attributions in PTSD symptom severity and alcohol use. 20th Annual Meeting, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. New Orleans, LA, 2004; Vol. Nov 14-18.
  • Riggs D, Pai A, Volpicelli J, Imms P, Foa B. Treating co-morbid PTSD and alcohol dependence: Early symptom changes. 20th Annual Meeting: International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. New Orleans, LA, 2004; Vol. Nov 14-18.

Additional references

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. References to ongoing studies
  4. Additional references
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  • Ballenger JC, Davidson JRT, Lecrubier Y, Nutt DJ, Marshall RD, Nemeroff CB, Shalev AY, Yehuda R. Consensus Statement update on posttraumatic stress disorder from the International Consensus Group on Depression and Anxiety. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 2004;65(Suppl 1):55-62.
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