Trial of Paroxetine-CR for the Treatment of Patients With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Remaining Symptomatic After Initial Exposure Therapy

NCT ID: NCT00121888

Last Updated: 2014-06-06

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: PHASE1/PHASE2
• Total Enrollment: 60 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2002-12-31
• Study Completion Date: 2007-06-30

Brief Summary

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of controlled-release paroxetine (Paxil-CR) compared to placebo (an inactive substance) for individuals who continue to have symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) despite receiving prolonged exposure therapy.

Detailed Description

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is common in the general population with the National Comorbidity Survey reporting a lifetime prevalence of about 8% in the United States (Kessler, et al 1995). PTSD is associated with marked symptomatic distress as well as significant impairment, dysfunction and reduction in overall quality of life (Kessler, 2000). Both pharmacotherapeutic interventions, including serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and psychosocial interventions such as cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) have demonstrated efficacy for PTSD (Davidson, 2001; Foa, 2000) However, although these interventions can be helpful, many patients remain symptomatic despite initial treatment. There is little data available to guide practice regarding the efficacy of "next step" strategies for patients remaining symptomatic despite treatment.

In this study the researchers will examine the relative efficacy of the addition of the SSRI, paroxetine-CR, compared to placebo for patients remaining symptomatic despite a brief and intensive course of CBT.

This is a two phase, 14-16 week research study in which participants who remain symptomatic at the end of one phase (4-6 weeks) enter into the next phase. In phase I, all participants receive prolonged exposure (PE) therapy. Participants who continue to have significant distress because of posttraumatic stress disorder after 8 sessions of therapy will enter Phase II. In Phase II subjects will receive 5 more sessions of PE therapy and be randomly assigned (by chance, like a flip of a coin) to receive paroxetine-cr (Paxil-CR) or placebo (contains no active medication). Participants receive this combined treatment over the next 10 weeks.

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Interventions

Prolonged Exposure Therapy

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Paroxetine-CR

Intervention Type: DRUG

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Male or female outpatients at least 18 years of age with a primary (the condition that is most central to the patient's current distress) psychiatric diagnosis of PTSD as defined by DSM-IV criteria.
• Patients must have remained symptomatic (CGI-S > 3) and a score of at least 6 on the Short PTSD Rating Interview (SPRINT) after a minimum of 7 sessions of PE (delivered within 6 weeks) to be eligible for randomized treatment.

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients will be excluded from the study for serious medical illness or instability for which hospitalization may be likely within the next three months.
• Pregnant or lactating women or those of childbearing potential not using medically accepted forms of contraception will be excluded.
• Concurrent use of other psychotropic medications; all psychotropic medications (excluding benzodiazepines) must be stopped at least one week prior to entry into the initial PE phase of the study. Patients may remain on concomitant benzodiazepines (<2 mg/d clonazepam or its equivalent), as long as the benzodiazepine therapy was initiated at least 2 months prior to randomization and at a constant dose for >4 weeks prior to randomization; the dose will be held constant through the study.
• Lifetime diagnosis of schizophrenia or any other psychosis, mental retardation, organic mental disorders, or bipolar disorder; obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, cutting or other significant self-injurious behavior or alcohol/substance abuse disorders within the last 6 months, are study exclusions. Patients with a current primary diagnosis of major depression, dysthymia, social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are excluded - the presence of these disorders is permissible as long as the PTSD is the predominant disorder.
• Patients with a history of hypersensitivity or poor response to paroxetine are excluded. Concurrent dynamic or supportive psychotherapy is permitted as long as it is has been ongoing for at least 2 months prior to onset of study entry.
• Patients with current compensation or legal actions related to the effects of the trauma, or those with an ongoing relationship with their assailant.
• Patients with a positive toxicology screen at baseline consistent with evidence of current substance abuse or dependence as determined by clinical interview.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 72 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Massachusetts General Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Naomi M. Simon

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Naomi M Simon, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Massachusetts General Hospital

Locations

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Countries

United States

Related Links

http://www.mghanxiety.org

The Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital

Other Identifiers

2002-P-001879

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id