Dextrose Injection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

This trial explores whether dextrose injections, a type of cervical plexus hydrodissection, can reduce PTSD symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Participants will receive either dextrose injections or a saline solution as a control to compare effects. The trial seeks individuals who have experienced PTSD symptoms for over a year, have tried at least two medications and two non-medication treatments, and live near Portland, OR, Madison, WI, or Lexington, KY. Participants should not have major life stresses or plans to move in the next 18 months. As a Phase 4 trial, this research involves an FDA-approved treatment and aims to understand its benefits for more patients.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it mentions that participants should not be taking daily narcotics.

Research has shown that dextrose injections, also known as D5W, are generally safe for patients. Many people feel less anxious shortly after the injection, typically within 20 minutes, and these improvements can last. Although extensive data on side effects in large groups is limited, the treatment's progression to Phase 4 indicates it has passed numerous safety tests, suggesting a high level of safety. For those considering joining a trial, this treatment has shown promise in reducing symptoms with few immediate side effects reported.¹²³⁴⁵

Researchers are excited about using dextrose injection for PTSD because it offers a new approach to treatment through cervical plexus hydrodissection. Unlike traditional PTSD treatments, which often involve therapy or medication like SSRIs and SNRIs, this method uses an injection of D5W (a form of sugar water) directly into the cervical plexus. This innovative delivery method targets the nervous system directly, which could lead to faster and more effective relief from symptoms. Additionally, the ability to request further treatments over a longer period (up to a year) provides a level of flexibility and customization not typically available with standard PTSD treatments.

Research has shown that using a sugar-water solution (D5W) in a procedure called cervical plexus hydrodissection might help reduce PTSD symptoms such as anxiety and depression. In this trial, participants will receive either D5W cervical plexus hydrodissection or normal saline cervical plexus hydrodissection. Studies have found that patients often feel less anxious within 20 minutes of receiving the D5W injection. Over time, they also notice improvements in issues like brain fog and depression. This treatment has already proven helpful for chronic pain, prompting researchers to explore its potential benefits for PTSD. Overall, these findings suggest that this treatment could be a promising way to manage PTSD symptoms.¹²⁴⁶⁷