• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.4040-4047
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to analyze a change in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) level and the continuity of the effects in music therapy by applying short-term music therapy program in fire fighters with Post-traumatic Stress (PTS). Forty two fire fighters in 3 districts were randomly assigned to experimental group (21 subjects) and control group (21 subjects). Music therapy was applied in totally 10 sessions by two sessions (120 minutes) a day for 5 days. PTS level was measured immediately after the end of program, after 4 weeks, and after 12 weeks. As a result, PTS level has significantly decreased into $8.90{\pm}4.55$ from $26.52{\pm}2.32$ right after the music therapy program(p<0.05). And the effect was shown to be continued significantly up to after 4 weeks($11.95{\pm}4.57$) and after 12 weeks($13.76{\pm}5.62$)(p<0.05). As a result of research, it is considered that the music therapy is effective approach for reduction in PTS as for fire fighters who belong to the group with high risk of PTSD. Accordingly, the application of regular program for managing fire fighters' mental health is understood to likely to contribute to enhancing the field service competence.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2009

Objective : The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between plasma serotonin concentration and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in chronic PTSD patients who have been taking medication. Methods : Plasma serotonin level of 14 PTSD patients and a control group of 28 Vietnam War veterans was measured by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography). The Combat Exposure Scale (CES), Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (M-PTSD), Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), and Hamiltion Anxiety Scale (HAS) were used to evaluate PTSD symptom severity. Results : Serotonin level was significantly higher in the PTSD group than in the control group (p=0.036, p=0.006, respectively). M-PTSD (p<0.001), CAPS (p<0.001), HRSD (p<0.001), and HAS (p<0.001) scale scores were significantly higher in the PTSD group than in the control group; however, the CES score failed to show a significant improvement (p=0.964). There were no significant differences between plasma serotonin and PTSD symptoms. Conclusion : In chronic PTSD patients who have been taking medications, we can not predict treatment effect and symptom severity by measuring only plasma serotonin levels. PTSD is a complicated disorder which may likely be related to a variety of neurotransmitter systems. Therefore, further research which investigate relationships with norepinephrine, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters as well as serotonin is needed to improve the treatment of PTSD.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.307-317
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• 2023

Objectives: To introduce the progress of treatment and improve clinical use after application of Emotion-to-Emotion Therapy (ETE Therapy) for treating Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Methods: A patient who was diagnosed with PTSD that occurred after violence in the family mainly complained about abdominal pain, depression, and fear. We treated the patient with ETE therapy as the main treatment. Subjective Units of Distress scale (SUDs), The Core Seven-Emotions Inventory Short Form (CSEI-s), and Mentalizing the Rooms of Mind (MRM) were evaluated before and after the treatment for assessing the clinical effect. Results: After treatment, overall clinical symptoms of the patient were alleviated. This result was supported by a decrease in SUDs. There were meaningful drops in 'Fear', 'Fright', 'Sorrow' in CSEI-s scores, consistent with the direction of 'Sa-seung-Gong (思勝恐)' used as major technique of ETE therapy. Resources and positive emotions in MRM were increased after treatment. Conclusions: ETE therapy may be effective for treating PTSD. It might play a significant role in cognitive reconstruction.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.62-74
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• 2020

Purpose : This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of mental health problems in patients discharged from the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods : This was a secondary analysis study using data from a multicenter prospective cohort of post-ICU patients. We analyzed data of 311 patients enrolled in the primary cohort study who responded to the mental health questionnaire three months after the discharge. Anxiety and depression were measured on the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was measured on the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale. Results : The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and PTSD in patients at three months after ICU discharge were 25.7%, 17.4%, and 18.0%, respectively, and 7.7% of them experienced all three problems. Unemployment (OR=1.99, p=.033) and unplanned ICU admission (OR=2.28, p=.017) were risk factors for depression, while women gender (OR=2.34, p=.009), comorbid diseases (OR=2.88, p=.004), non-surgical ICUs (trauma ICU: OR=7.31, p=.002, medical ICU: OR=3.72, p=.007, neurological ICU: OR=2.95, p=.019) and delirium (OR=2.89, p=.009) were risk factors for PTSD. Conclusion : ICU nurses should proactively monitor risk factors for post-ICU mental health problems. In particular, guidelines on the detection and management of delirium in critically ill patients should be observed.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.269-278
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• 2022

Background: PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD) had a great impact on health care workers during the COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019, COVID-19). Better knowledge of the prevalence of PTSD and its risk factors is a major public health problem. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence and important risk factors of PTSD among medical staff during the COVID-19. Methods: The databases were searched for studies published during the COVID-19, and a PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis) compliant systematic review (PROSPERO-CRD 42021278970) was carried out to identify articles from multiple databases reporting the prevalence of PTSD outcomes among medical staff. Proportion random effect analysis, I² statistic, quality assessment, subgroup analysis, and sensitivity analysis were carried out. Results: A total of 28 cross-sectional studies and the PTSD results of doctors and nurses were summarized from 14 and 27 studies: the prevalences were 31% (95% CI [confidence interval, CI]: 21%-40%) and 38% (95% CI: 30%-45%) in doctors and nurses, respectively. The results also showed seven risks (p < 0.05): long working hours, isolation wards, COVID-19 symptoms, nurses, women, fear of infection, and pre-existing mental illness. Two factors were of borderline significance: higher professional titles and married. Conclusion: Health care workers have a higher prevalence of PTSD during COVID-19. Health departments should provide targeted preventive measures for medical staff away from PTSD.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.277-289
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• 2018

Background: Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS), the subject of this evaluative research document employs 1400 people. 80% of employees are operational firefighters and officers whom operate across a range of duty systems and support functions, providing prevention, protection and emergency response to the communities of Lancashire. Methods: The overarching purpose of this epidemiological study is to assess the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) amongst operational LFRS personnel and to analyse the effects upon those who may be suffering from it, whether brought about by a single traumatic event or by repeated exposure to traumatic occurrences over a period of time. A combination of primary and secondary research was carried out. Primary data was collated using two recognised clinical questionnaires and statistical analysis was conducted with the aid of the software package SPSS. Results: The findings and statistical analysis showed that out of the 100 people surveyed, 30% of respondents had signs of probable distress. Of this quota, 4% showed symptoms of PTSD. The study considers how an organisation can recognise and manage PTSD and provides recommendations to assist in better recognising and managing the associated risks. Conclusion: Based upon the findings, the authors conclude that the level of PTSD within LFRS is slightly lower than those found in other studies undertaken within the Fire and Rescue Service sector. The paper provides recommendations for future studies and a series of actions for consideration by LFRS senior management to improve PTSD support services for employees.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.251-263
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to review the clinical research trends in the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Korean medicine (KM). Methods: We searched MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, Google Scholar and five Korean databases through May 2019, for studies on KM to treat PTSD. Clinical research that conducted KM treatment of PTSD patients were included. Two researchers independently conducted study selection and data extraction process. Results: Totally, eight studies were included in this review. Types of traumatic events that patients experienced included physical violence/threatening, traffic accidents, sexual violence and personal tragic events. KM interventions performed included acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine, physical therapy, and KM-based psychotherapy. Treatment duration varied from two days to more than five months. Follow-up began at least one week to three months after the end of treatments. It was reported that the major psychological and/or somatic symptoms of PTSD, such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and musculoskeletal pain, subjectively improved, as well as other objective outcomes: Impact Event Scale-Revised Korean version (IES-R-K), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Hwabyung Symptoms/characters, Electroencephalography (EEG) change, etc. Statistical studies were conducted in three studies only. Outcomes such as Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), BDI, and IES-R-K showed statistically significant improvement after KM treatments. There was no study reporting adverse events during or after the interventions. Conclusions: According to this review, diverse types of KM treatments have been used among PTSD patients in eight studies. The KM treatments effectively improved psychological and somatic symptoms of PTSD patients. However, the lack of high quality research as well as the lack of standardization of KM treatments for PTSD are limitations. Further methodologically robust clinical trials should be performed, and the standardization of KM treatments for PTSD should be sought.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.345-354
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• 2019

Objectives: It is well-known that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among firefighters contributes to their job-related stress. However, the relationship between burnout and PTSD in firefighters has rarely been studied. This study therefore explored the association between burnout and its related factors, such as trauma and violence, and PTSD symptoms among firefighters in Korea. Methods: A total of 535 firefighters participated in the Firefighter Research on Enhancement of Safety & Health study at 3 university hospitals from 2016 to 2017. The 535 participants received a baseline health examination, including questionnaires assessing their mental health. A Web-based survey was also conducted to collect data on job-related stress, history of exposure to violence, burnout, and trauma experience. The associations among burnout, its related factors, and PTSD symptoms were investigated using structural equation modeling. Results: Job demands (${\beta}=0.411$, p<0.001) and effort-reward balance (${\beta}=-0.290$, p<0.001) were significantly related to burnout. Burnout (${\beta}=0.237$, p<0.001) and violence (${\beta}=0.123$, p=0.014) were significantly related to PTSD risk. Trauma (${\beta}=0.131$, p=0.001) was significantly related to burnout; however, trauma was not directly associated with PTSD scores (${\beta}=0.085$, p=0.081). Conclusions: Our results show that burnout and psychological, sexual, and physical violence at the hands of clients directly affected participants' PTSD symptoms. Burnout mediated the relationship between trauma experience and PTSD.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2015

Background: This study investigates the impact of the cervical musculoskeletal intervention on post-traumatic stress disorder patient's cervical pain levels and depression factor. Methods: Thrty neck pain patients diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder were enrolled. Neck exercise training using a sling system was applied to the experimental group and self-neck movement exercise, modification of the McKenzie exercise, was applied to the control group. Both groups were checked every week whether they performed or not. Both groups performed their exercise for 35 minutes for a time and 3 times per week. Total period of the intervention was 6 weeks. To compare the effects of interventions, threshold of cervical tenderness and depression level were measured before and after the each intervention and also measured at follow-up. Results: Painthreshold of left trapezius showed a significant difference between two groups at three points. It increased 19.71% in the experimental group after the intervention compared to before the intervention. At follow-up it also increased 20.06% in the experimental group. Pain threshold of right trapezius showed a significant difference at three points. It increased 18.35% in the experimental group after the intervention compared to before the intervention. At follow-up it also increased 15.93% in the experimental group. According to the result interaction between groups and measurement time in both side of trapezius was valid. Depression level showed significant difference in the experimental group between three points. It decreased 18.07% after the intervention compared to before the intervention and decreased 15.21% at follow-up. According to the result interaction between groups and measurement time in depression level was valid. Conclusions: This study has important implications as the therapeutic strategy, high potent of improving symptoms, shows effect to a subject who has psychological problem such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.197-206
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was performed to review the research trends in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in traditional Chinese medicine.Methods: We searched articles in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) using keywords, “ Posttraumatic stress disorder” , and “ PTSD” in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicinal Herbs and Combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Western Medicine field. We selected 16 studies after excluding non-clinical or unrelated studies.Results: Four pre-post comparison studies and 12 controlled clinical trials were performed in patients with PTSD in China. Herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion therapy were used for the treatment of PTSD. Most of the studies showed positive results, and they reported that the treatment groups had fewer side effects than the control group. However, the quality of these clinical studies was low.Conclusions: According to this study, TCM for PTSD would be an effective and safe intervention. Therefore, based on this study, more clinical research on the treatment of PTSD should be performed in Korean medicine in the near future.