Interest of Cardiac Coherence in the Prevention of Chronic Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Pilot Study

Interest of Cardiac Coherence in the Prevention of Chronic Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Pilot Study

ThThe aim of this study is to determinate the potential benefits of a respiratory training program (cardiac coherence, CC) in patients suffering from acute stress disorder, after a potentially traumatic event. Using this method is supposed to prevent the onset of chronic post traumatic stress disorder after 3 months.

This pilot study will help to determinate the need of developing this kind of complementary and alternative program, and will also provide knowledge about the feasibiility and acceptability of this program for the patients.

Each patient will be teached how to use cardiac coherence with a trained practitioner at the inclusion visit. A respiratory guide on smartphone will be given to the patient aswell as a diary in order to keep tracks of the patient's compliance to this program.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients seen at medico-psychological emergency cell
• patients with an acute stress disorder, diagnosed by DSM-5
• patients who have experienced a potentially traumatic event for the last 3-15 days (vctim or witness)
• patients able to read and write in French language
• person affiliated or beneficiary of a social security scheme.
• person who agrees to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients with respiratory pathology not allowing cardiac coherence training
• patients currently practicing a regular respiratory control technique or within the last 6 months
• patients taking beta-blocker, betamimetic, anti-arrhythmic, opioid, antidepressant
• patients with a pacemaker or suffering from severe cardiac illness
• patients with non-stabilized psychiatric disorder at inclusion
• patient taking benzodiazepine unable to wean off in the week following the inclusion
• patients with addiction
• patients with a cognitive deficit
• patients under guardianship or curatorship, under judicial supervision