Research paperEffects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on psychophysiological symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in accident survivors: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

•Heightened heart rate is known to be a prominent feature of PTSD.•Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may prevent these physiological symptoms.•We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 83 Japanese accident survivors.•Heart rate three months after the event was significantly lower in the omega-3 group.•Omega-3 may be effective for secondary prevention of physiological symptoms of PTSD.

BackgroundPsychophysiological symptoms (e.g., pounding heart) are known to be a prominent feature of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have a beneficial potential pharmacological effect of preventing these psychophysiological symptoms, no clinical data is yet available. Therefore, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Japanese accident survivors.MethodsA total of 83 participants received either omega-3 PUFAs (1470 mg docosahexaenoic acid and 147 mg eicosapentaenoic acid per day) or placebo within 10 days of the accidental injury. After 12-week supplementation, participants performed script-driven imagery of their traumatic event during monitoring of their heart rate and skin conductance.ResultsAnalysis revealed that heart rate during both rest and script-driven imagery was significantly lower in the omega-3 group than the placebo group, whereas baseline heart rate was comparable between the two groups.LimitationsThe present trial was conducted at a single-center in Japan and psychophysiological symptoms of PTSD in most participants were not serious.ConclusionThese findings suggest that post-trauma supplementation of omega-3 PUFAs might be effective for the secondary prevention of psychophysiological symptoms of PTSD.