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Psychotherapeutic treatment and HPA axis regulation in posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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Home / Resources / PTSD / Psychotherapeutic treatment and HPA axis regulation in posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Psychotherapeutic treatment and HPA axis regulation in posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary– adrenal (HPA) axis


Article Abstract

“Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary– adrenal (HPA) axis. Research over the past years has investigated potential changes of these alterations in the context of psychotherapy. Yet, no systematic review has been conducted. To summarize the current state of research on psychotherapy and HPA hormones, namely cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulfate form (DHEA(S)), we searched for studies investigating predictions or changes in hormones over treatment course within the databases PubMed, Scopus, Medline, PsychINFO, Pilots/ProQuest, and Web of Science, and in the grey literature up to May 2018. Controlled and uncontrolled trials investigating adult samples with a clinical status of PTSD were eligible for inclusion. Twelve studies (428 participants) were included. Study quality was overall sufficient. Hormone assessment designs differed considerably. Treatment efficacy on PTSD symptom reduction was mostly high, but predictions of pre-treatment hormone concentrations on treatment efficacy were largely non-significant. Changes from pre- to post-test in basal cortisol (g = −0.07, 95% CI = −0.36; 0.21) and in the cortisol awakening response (g = −0.07, 95% CI = −0.48; 0.35) were also non-significant. Future studies require comparable designs and need to be sufficiently powered to be able to detect potential associations with HPA regulation.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

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Schumacher, S., Niemeyer, H., Engel, S., Cwik, J. C., & Knaevelsrud, C. (2018). Psychotherapeutic treatment and HPA axis regulation in posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.08.006

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Basic Info Collapse

Date
December 1, 2018

Creator(s)
Sarah Schumacher, Helen Niemeyer, Sinha Engel

Contributor(s)
Jan Christopher Cwik, Christine Knaevelsrud

Topics
PTSD

More Info Collapse

Publisher
Elsevier

Rights
© 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

APA Citation
Schumacher, S., Niemeyer, H., Engel, S., Cwik, J. C., & Knaevelsrud, C. (2018). Psychotherapeutic treatment and HPA axis regulation in posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.08.006

Audience
EMDR Therapists, Other Mental Health Professionals

Language
English

Content Type
Article, Meta-analyses/Systematic Reviews, Peer-Reviewed

Access Type
External Resource

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