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Cited by 88Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchChild Abuse and TraumaTraumatic Brain Injury Research

Is tonic immobility the core sign among conventional peritraumatic signs and symptoms listed for PTSD?

Rocha-Rego, Vanessa, Fiszman, Adriana, Portugal, Liana Catarina, Garcia Pereira, Mirtes, de Oliveira, Letícia, Mendlowicz, Mauro V., Marques-Portella, Carla, Berger, William +4 more·2009·Journal of Affective Disorders
DOI 10.1016/j.jad.2008.09.005
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Abstract

Background Previous studies suggested the importance of peritraumatic reactions as predictors of PSTD symptoms severity. Despite mounting evidence that tonic immobility occurs under intense life threats its role as predictor of PTSD severity remains by and large understudied. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of peritraumatic reactions (tonic immobility, panic and dissociation) as predictors of PTSD symptoms severity. Methods Participants were 32 victims of urban violence with PTSD diagnosed through the SCID-I. In order to evaluate PTSD symptoms at baseline, we used the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version. To assess peritraumatic reactions we employed the Physical Reactions Scale, the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire and Tonic Immobility questions. As confounding variables, we considered negative affect (measured by the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-Trait Version), sex and time elapsed since trauma. Results Tonic immobility was the only predictor of PTSD symptoms severity that kept the statistical significance after controlling for potential confounders. Limitations This study was based on a relatively small sample recruited in a tertiary clinic, a fact that may limit the generalizability of its findings. The retrospective design may have predisposed to recall bias. Conclusions Our study provides good reason to conduct more research on tonic immobility in PTSD with other samples and with different time frames in an attempt to replicate these stimulating results.

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  • Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies performed while negatively arousing (aversive) stimuli, including pictures of mutilation and injury in humans, are being processed provide clear evidence of PAG activation and suggest increased functional connectivity between the amygdala and PAG, coupled with a bradycardic effect.

    “Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies—performed while negatively arousing (aversive) stimuli, including pictures of mutilation and injury in humans, are being processed—provide clear evidence of PAG activation82,83 and suggest increased functional connectivity between the amygdala and PAG, coupled with a bradycardic effect.84”

    From Fear and the Defense Cascade (2015) · cites this paper as [84]

  • Tonic immobility is sometimes but not always included within the construct of peritraumatic reactions.

    “Tonic immobility is also sometimes—but not always—included within the construct of peritraumatic reactions (which include symptoms of panic, dissociation, and sometimes tonic immobility).107–109”

    From Fear and the Defense Cascade (2015) · cites this paper as [108]

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Authors
Rocha-Rego, V., Fiszman, A., Portugal, L. C., Garcia Pereira, M., de Oliveira, L., Mendlowicz, M. V., Marques-Portella, C., Berger, W., Freire Coutinho, E. S., Mari, J. J., Figueira, I., & Volchan, E.
Affiliations
  • Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (BR)
  • Universidade Federal Fluminense (BR)
Corresponding author
Rocha-Rego, Vanessa
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Affective Disorders
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2009-05
Volume
115
Issue
1-2
Pages
269-273
ISSN
0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jad.2008.09.005
OpenAlex
W2094329955
Cited by
88
References
33
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 9
FWCI
3.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UNIFESP Institutional Repository (Universidade Federal de São Paulo) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Traumatic Brain Injury Research
Keywords
tonic immobility, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic, dissociation, PTSD symptom severity, trauma exposure
MeSH terms
Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Dissociative Disorders, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Panic, Retrospective Studies, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Violence, Crime Victims, Immobility Response, Tonic

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