Mental Health
Ecological momentary assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and sleep quality among patients on medical marijuana Krishna Vaddiparti* Krishna Vaddiparti Benjamin Churba Catalina Lopez-Quintero Carly Crump Zhi Zhou Yan Wang John Williamson Robert L Cook
Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), results from witnessing/experiencing traumatic events. It includes sleep disturbances, nightmares, and impaired mental health. While medical marijuana (MMJ) is often used to ease PTSD symptoms, its therapeutic effectiveness lacks strong evidence.
Objective: To present the key study outcomes and showcase the viability of involving persons with PTSD using MMJ in a follow-up study, employing real-time smartphone Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA).
Methods: We recruited fifteen individuals meeting PTSD criteria from medical cannabis clinics in North-Central Florida. Employing EMA via smartphones, we longitudinally evaluated participants four times a day for at least five days during baseline, dose-adjustment, and stable-dose phases. Surveys were conducted using PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and PROMIS Global Health at three time points: baseline (pre-MMJ initiation), and 30- and 70-days post-initiation.
Results: Participants, averaging 44 years (SD 11.9), with 80% being white and 60% female, demonstrated significant improvements at 30- and 70-day follow-up in PTSD score [F(2,24)=13.25], PSQI score [F(2,25)=16.54], Sleep quality [F(2,27)=22.57], Sleep duration [F(2,27)=8.33], nightmares [F(2,26)=13.87], negative affect [F(2,26)=9.82], and mental health [F(2,27)=8.44]. All outcomes were statistically significant at p<0.05.
All participants reached the threshold of completing 90% of the EMA with a small missing response rate of 3.2%. EMA results corroborate survey data results and confirm an improvement of symptoms during follow-up.
Conclusion: This pilot shows the viability of including persons with PTSD using MMJ in a study with daily EMA assessments, surveys, and follow-ups. It indicates lasting positive effects on sleep, well-being, and reduced PTSD symptoms and nightmares for at least 70 days post-initiation.
