Affiliations: [a] Stella Center, Westmont, IL, USA
| [b] School of Social Work, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, USA
| [c] The Internet Society, Reston, VA, USA
| [d] Wounded Warrior Project, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| [e] Stella Israel, Haifa, Israel
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Shauna Springer, 1 E Oak Hill Drive, Suite 100, Westmont, IL 60550, USA. Tel.: +1 224 538 3267; Fax: +1 773 900 4476; E-mail: docspringer@stellacenter.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:For decades, thousands of active-duty service members have sought treatment for trauma exposure. Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is a fast-acting nerve block documented in medical literature for nearly a century that has shown promise as a potentially life-altering treatment for post-traumatic stress (PTS). OBJECTIVE:This review aims to answer the practical questions of those who support individuals suffering from trauma: (1) SGB’s safety profile (2) efficacy data (3) potential advantages and limitations, (4) a cross-cultural application example, (5) and the use of SGB in combination with talk therapy to optimize clinical outcomes. METHODS:The current body of literature, to include several large case series, meta-analyses, and a sufficiently powered randomized controlled trial, were reviewed, and presented to describe the history of SGB for emotional trauma symptoms and address the objectives of this review. RESULTS:Critical consideration is given to the safety and efficacy data on SGB and the evolution in safety-related technologies. Advantages such as decreased barriers to care, rapid onset, and decreased dropout and limitations such as treatment non-response, potential adverse effects, and misconceptions about the treatment are then described. Finally, the cross-cultural application of SGB is explored based on the deployment of SGB in Israel. CONCLUSION:SGB is associated with level 1B evidence and a reassuring safety profile. Evolving the model of care through the combined use of effective biological treatments like SGB with trauma informed talk therapy offers a hopeful path forward for supporting those who suffer from post-traumatic stress.
Keywords: Stellate ganglion block, SGB, post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, combat stress disorder, nerve block, military health, veterans health
