The role of executive function in posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review

BackgroundAlthough posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with disturbances in verbal memory, studies examining executive functioning in PTSD show mixed results.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to compare executive functioning in patients with current PTSD and controls without any psychiatric disorder. Standard mean differences (SMD) in executive functioning scores were calculated using random-effects models. Covariates were added to examine whether differences exist between subgroups.ResultsAcross 18 studies, 1080 subjects were included. In comparison with 431 exposed controls and 227 healthy controls, 422 people with PTSD showed significantly impaired executive functioning. Subgroup analyses revealed more pronounced differences between PTSD patients and exposed controls than healthy controls. Male gender, higher age, war trauma, and higher severity of co-morbid depressive symptoms were related to poorer executive functioning in PTSD patients compared to exposed controls.LimitationsDue to insufficient data and heterogeneity, not all subgroup differences or characteristics could be taken into account.ConclusionsOverall, PTSD patients were found to show impaired executive functioning. Future research should further elucidate the subgroup effects and focus on clinical implications with regard to daily functioning and treatment outcome.

Geachte bezoeker,

De informatie die u nu opvraagt, kan door psychotraumanet niet aan u worden getoond. Dit kan verschillende redenen hebben, waarvan (bescherming van het) auteursrecht de meeste voorkomende is. Wanneer het mogelijk is om u door te verwijzen naar de bron van deze informatie, dan ziet u hier onder een link naar die plek.

Als er geen link staat, kunt u contact opnemen met de bibliotheek, die u verder op weg kan helpen.

Met vriendelijke groet,
Het psychotraumanet-team.


Referentie: 
Polak AR,Witteveen AB,Reitsma JB,Olff M, | 2012
Journal of Affective Disorders | 141 | 1 | 11-21
Affiliatie auteur(s): 
ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre