Characteristics of included reconsolidation interference studies — clinical samples
| Study | Clinical diagnosis | Propranolol/placebo | Male/ female, % | Age, yr, mean ± SD | Study protocol | Outcome measures of interest | Primary results of interest | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. randomized | No. analyzed on test day | ||||||||
| Brunet et al.52 (2008) | Chronic PTSD | 9/10 | 9/10 | 47/53 | Propranolol: 34.8 ± 10.1 Placebo: 35.1 ± 10.5 | Week 1: script preparation, 40 mg (short-acting) immediately after reactivation and 60 mg (long-acting) after 2 h Week 2: script-driven imagery | Heart rate SCR to personal script at week 2 | Propranolol < placebo on heart rate and SCR to personal script | 4 |
| Brunet et al.56 (2014) | Chronic PTSD | 28/10 | 22/10* | 32/68 | 37.9 ± 9.5 | Week 1: 0.67 mg/kg (short-acting) followed by 1 mg/kg (long-acting), script preparation 90 min later Weeks 2–6: 0.67 mg/kg (short-acting) and 1 mg/kg (long-acting) 90 min before reactivation Week 7: script-driven imagery 4 mo follow-up: script-driven imagery | Heart rate and SCR to personal script at 1 wk post-treatment | Propranolol < placebo on heart rate and SCR to personal script at 1 wk post-treatment | N/A |
| Brunet et al.23 (2018) | Chronic PTSD | 30/30 | 21/23 | 42/58 | Propranolol: 37.0 ± 11.3 Placebo: 41.8 ± 11.1 | Week 1: 0.67 mg/kg (short-acting) then 1.0 mg/kg (long-acting) 60 min before script preparation Weeks 2–6: 0.67 mg/kg (short-acting) plus 1.0 mg/kg (long-acting) 90 min before reactivation Week 7: Post-treatment assessment | PCL-S and CAPS at post-treatment | Propranolol < placebo on PCL-S and CAPS at post-treatment | 5 |
| Elsey et al.54 (2020) | Fear of public speaking | 40/20 | 40/20 | 17/83 | Propranolol: 21.65 ± 2.78 Placebo: 22.10 ± 1.92 | Week 1: Baseline measures, speech preparation; 40 mg of propranolol administered < 5 min post-speech (reactivation) Week 2: stress-inducing speech task (0 to 9 min) as reactivation 1 mo follow-up: symptom evaluation 3 mo follow-up: symptom evaluation | GPSP, SUDS and PRPSA at week 2 | Propranolol = placebo on GPSP, SUDS and PRPSA at week 2 | 4 |
| Jobes et al.27 (2015) | Cocaine abuse in poly-drug dependence | 19/16 | 18/15 | 48/52 | Propranolol: 41.6 Placebo: 42.1 | Week 1: personalized cocaine script, tactile drug-related paraphernalia Week 2: 40 mg 120 min before reactivation Week 3: re-exposure test session Week 7: re-exposure test session | CCQ and VAS at 1 wk post-intervention | Propranolol > placebo on CCQ and VAS at 1 wk post-intervention | 3.5 |
| Lonergan et al.24 (2016) | Substance dependence | 9/8 | 6/4 | 71/29 | Propranolol: 44.78 ± 18.66 Placebo: 35.63 ± 16.09 | Week 0: assessment and craving script preparation Week 1–3: 6 biweekly sessions (separated by 48 h) of 1 mg/kg of propranolol 60 min before craving-memory reactivation Week 4: post-treatment assessment | Self-report craving questionnaires post-treatment | Propranolol < placebo on self-reported craving at post-treatment (in intention-to-treat analysis) | 4.5 |
| Pachas et al.28 (2015) | Nicotine dependence | 35/39 | 23/31 | 73/27 | Propranolol: 41.6 ± 10.9 Placebo: 42.5 ± 9.8 | Week 1: screening and evaluation; 0.67 mg/kg (short-acting), 1 mg/kg (long-acting) 90 min later, followed by reactivation (personal script) Week 2: script-driven imagery | Heart rate, SCR and self-reported craving at week 2 | Propranolol = placebo on heart rate, SCR and self-reported craving at week 2 | 3.5 |
| Roullet et al.58 (2021; severe symptom group, PCL-S score > 65) | PTSD | 18/15 | Not reported | Unknown† | Unknown† | Week 1: 0.67 mg/kg (short-acting) then 1.0 mg/kg (long-acting) 60 min before script preparation Weeks 2–6: 0.67 mg/kg (short-acting) plus 1.0 mg/kg (long-acting) 90 min before reactivation Week 7: post-treatment assessment | PCL-S 3 mo post-treatment | Propranolol < placebo on the PCL-S 3 mo post-treatment | 5 |
| Roullet et al.58 (2021; moderate symptom group (PCL-S score > 45 < 65) | PTSD | 11/14 | Not reported | Unknown† | Unknown† | Week 1: 0.67 mg/kg (short-acting) then 1.0 mg/kg (long-acting) 60 min before script preparation Weeks 2–6: 0.67 mg/kg (short-acting) plus 1.0 mg/kg (long-acting) 90 min before reactivation Week 7: post-treatment assessment | PCL-S 3 mo post-treatment | Propranolol = placebo on the PCL-S 3 mo post-treatment | 5 |
| Soeter et al.7 (2015) | Spider phobia | 15/15 | 15/15 | 9/91 | 21.6 ± 3.2 | Day 1: pre-treatment assessments and BAT with baby tarantula Day 5: 40 mg post-reactivation exposure to tarantula Day 16: post-treatment assessment Follow-up: 3 mo and 1 yr | BAT to tarantula and SPQ at post-treatment day 16 | Propranolol showed > approach BAT to tarantula than placebo, but = SPQ scores at day 16 | 4 |
| Xue et al.53 (2017) | Nicotine dependence | 96 randomized; 27 excluded Of 69 included: 24 placebo + reactivation, 23 propranolol + reactivation, 22 non-placebo control | 23/24 | 100/0 | Propranolol: 24.96 ± 5.9 Placebo: 23.00 ± 4.0 | Day 1: screening and baseline tests of preference and craving for pre-existing nicotine conditioned stimulus Days 2–4: conditioning Day 5: post-conditioning test of preference and craving for the conditioned stimulus Day 6: 40 mg 60 min before unconditioned stimulus memory reactivation Day 7: post-treatment test | Subjective ratings of nicotine craving VAS on day 7 | Propranolol < placebo on subjective ratings of nicotine craving VAS on day 7 | 4.5 |
| Zhao et al.26 (2011) | Heroin dependence | 18/18 | 18/18 | 100/0 | Propranolol: 38.11 ± 1.25 Placebo: 38.00 ± 1.30 | Day 1: Learning drug-related words Day 2: 40 mg 60 min before reactivation Day 3: long-term memory task | Free recall no. of drug-related words on day 3 | Propranolol < placebo on free recall of drug-related words on day 3 | 3.5 |
BAT = Behavioural Approach Test; CAPS = Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale; CCQ = Cocaine Craving Questionnaire; GPSP = Global Perception of Speech Performance; PCL-S = PTSD Checklist–Specific; PRPSA = Personal Report of Public Speaking Anxiety; PTSD = posttraumatic stress disorder; SCR = skin conductance response; SD = standard deviation; SPQ = Spider Phobia Questionnaire; SUDS = Subjective Units of Distress; VAS = visual analogue scale.
↵* Data from 10 placebo participants from Brunet and colleagues52 (2008) were included in the between-group analysis in Brunet and colleagues56 (2014). These data were included in the meta-analysis; analyses were conducted with and without these data.
↵† Full sample demographics: propranolol n = 33 randomized, n = 29 treatment completers, n = 20 women, age (mean ± SD) = 35.6 ± 12.8 yr, n = 26 at 3 mo follow-up; placebo n = 33 randomized, n = 29 treatment completers, n = 21 women, age (mean ± SD) = 42.2 ± 12.7 yr, n = 25 at 3 mo follow-up. Analyses were carried out and presented on the intention-to-treat sample.