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Cited by 310Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology ResearchMigration, Health and Trauma

EARLY INTERVENTIONS FOR PTSD: A REVIEW: Review: Early Intervention

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Kearns, Megan C., Ressler, Kerry J., Zatzick, Doug, Rothbaum, Barbara Olasov·2012·Depression and Anxiety
DOI 10.1002/da.21997PMC PMC3665083
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Abstract

The high prevalence of trauma exposure and subsequent negative consequences for both survivors and society as a whole emphasize the need for secondary prevention of posttraumatic stress disorder. However, clinicians and relief workers remain limited in their ability to intervene effectively in the aftermath of trauma and alleviate traumatic stress reactions that can lead to chronic PTSD. The scientific literature on early intervention for PTSD is reviewed, including early studies on psychological debriefing, pharmacological, and psychosocial interventions aimed at preventing chronic PTSD. Studies on fear extinction and memory consolidation are discussed in relation to PTSD prevention and the potential importance of immediate versus delayed intervention approaches and genetic predictors are briefly reviewed. Preliminary results from a modified prolonged exposure intervention applied within hours of trauma exposure in an emergency room setting are discussed, along with considerations related to intervention reach and overall population impact. Suggestions for future research are included. Prevention of PTSD, although currently not yet a reality, remains an exciting and hopeful possibility with current research approaches translating work from the laboratory to the clinic.

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  • The current findings suggest sleep as a novel, non-pharmacological intervention for recent trauma survivors at risk for chronic PTSD.

    “Given the current debate about early intervention for PTSD and the need to identify effective treatment strategies that can be applied in the early aftermath of trauma, 5 the current fi ndings are timely and suggest sleep as a novel, non-pharmacological intervention for recent trauma survivors at risk for chronic PTSD.”

    From Effects of Sleep after Experimental Trauma on Intrusive Emotional Memories. (2016) · cites this paper as [5]

  • Early provision of trauma-focused psychotherapy for individuals at risk can prevent chronic PTSD.

    “Early provision of trauma-focused psychotherapy for these individuals at risk can prevent chronic PTSD (3).”

    From Early Linguistic Markers of Trauma-Specific Processing Predict Post-trauma Adjustment (2018) · cites this paper as [3]

  • Targeted early interventions are especially important in low- and middle-income countries characterised by limited resources and overburdened mental health care facilities, because treatment of severe psychopathology is more resource intensive with higher costs and burden for the healthcare system.

    “Targeted early interventions are especially important in low-and middle-income countries characterised by limited resources and overburdened mental health care facilities since treatment of severe psychopathology is more resource intensive (e.g.longer duration of treatment, medical interventions, hospitalisation, management of comorbid disorders) with higher costs and burden for the healthcare”

    From Risk and protective factors affecting the symptom trajectory of posttraumatic stress disorder post-rape (2022) · cites this paper as Kearns et al., 2012

  • Only individuals with increased risk of PTSD should receive any form of primary or secondary preventive intervention.

    “In addition, the current notion is that only individuals with increased risk of PTSD should receive any form of (primary or secondary) preventive interventions [101].”

    From Efficacy of oxytocin administration early after psychotrauma in preventing the development of PTSD: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial (2014) · cites this paper as [101]

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Authors
Kearns, M. C., Ressler, K. J., Zatzick, D., & Rothbaum, B. O.
Affiliations
  • Emory University (US)
  • University of Washington (US)
Corresponding author
Rothbaum, Barbara Olasov
ORCID
Venue
Depression and Anxiety
Publisher
Hindawi Limited
Published
2012-08-31
Volume
29
Issue
10
Pages
833-842
ISSN
1091-4269 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1002/da.21997
PMC
PMC3665083
OpenAlex
W1625833818
Cited by
310
References
104
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 27 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 33 · 2018: 30 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 34 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 1
FWCI
2.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
doi.wiley.com/10.1002/tdm_license_1.1 (tdm, 1096 d)
Locations
  • Depression and Anxiety (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (UL1TR000454)
  • National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Migration, Health and Trauma
Keywords
post-traumatic stress disorder, early intervention, secondary prevention, psychological debriefing, prolonged exposure, fear extinction, memory consolidation, pharmacological interventions, psychosocial interventions, genetic predictors, trauma exposure, intervention reach
MeSH terms
Adrenergic beta-Agonists, Analgesics, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Glucocorticoids, Humans, Psychotherapy, Brief, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

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