Stellate Ganglion Block in the Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Review of Historical and Recent Literature

Pain Pract. 2017 Apr;17(4):546-553. doi: 10.1111/papr.12503. Epub 2016 Oct 14.

Abstract

Concerns over the rising prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly among military service members returning from combat, and over barriers that hinder individuals from seeking out or adhering to standard therapies have contributed to interest in alternative therapies for the disorder. A novel alternative therapy for PTSD-stellate ganglion block (SGB)-may be considered lacking in formal evidence of efficacy despite having shown considerable promise. This review of the recent and historical literature related to SGB finds evidence of substantial beneficial psychiatric effects and substantiates that this fast-acting, somatic treatment may provide positive results for patients with PTSD and may reduce barriers to therapy, particularly among military populations.

Keywords: anxiety; military; post-traumatic stress; review; stellate ganglion block; veterans.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anesthesia, Local
  • Autonomic Nerve Block / methods*
  • Humans
  • Military Personnel / psychology
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / methods
  • Stellate Ganglion*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Veterans / psychology