1. Effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on psychophysiological symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in accident survivors: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
- Author
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Matsumura, Kenta, Noguchi, Hiroko, Nishi, Daisuke, Hamazaki, Kei, Hamazaki, Tomohito, and Matsuoka, Yutaka J.
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DIAGNOSIS of post-traumatic stress disorder , *THERAPEUTIC use of omega-3 fatty acids , *PSYCHOSOMATIC disorders , *PREVENTION of post-traumatic stress disorder , *PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY , *RANDOMIZED controlled trials , *SYMPTOMS , *DIAGNOSIS , *ACCIDENTS & psychology , *DOCOSAHEXAENOIC acid , *EICOSAPENTAENOIC acid , *COMPARATIVE studies , *DIETARY supplements , *HEART beat , *RESEARCH methodology , *MEDICAL cooperation , *POST-traumatic stress disorder , *PSYCHOLOGICAL tests , *RESEARCH , *EVALUATION research , *TREATMENT effectiveness , *BLIND experiment , *THERAPEUTICS ,DISEASE relapse prevention - Abstract
Background: Psychophysiological symptoms (e.g., pounding heart) are known to be a prominent feature of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have a beneficial potential pharmacological effect of preventing these psychophysiological symptoms, no clinical data is yet available. Therefore, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Japanese accident survivors.Methods: A total of 83 participants received either omega-3 PUFAs (1470mg docosahexaenoic acid and 147mg eicosapentaenoic acid per day) or placebo within 10 days of the accidental injury. After 12-week supplementation, participants performed script-driven imagery of their traumatic event during monitoring of their heart rate and skin conductance.Results: Analysis revealed that heart rate during both rest and script-driven imagery was significantly lower in the omega-3 group than the placebo group, whereas baseline heart rate was comparable between the two groups.Limitations: The present trial was conducted at a single-center in Japan and psychophysiological symptoms of PTSD in most participants were not serious.Conclusion: These findings suggest that post-trauma supplementation of omega-3 PUFAs might be effective for the secondary prevention of psychophysiological symptoms of PTSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2017
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