Peter D Drummond

Murdoch University · Centre for Research on Chronic Neuropathic Pain and Inflammatory Diseases

Conditioned pain modulation and exercise-induced hypoalgesia reflect inhibitory pain controls emanating from the brain. The aim of this study was to compare the extent of pain inhibition from exercise-induced hypoalgesia (isometric wall squat), conditioned pain modulation (cold-water immersion), and their combination (wall squat followed by cold wa...

Spearman’s correlation results

Hyperglycaemia and high adiposity are risk factors for pain in diabetes. To clarify these links with pain, the effects of a glucose load on sensory detection, pain sensitivity, conditioned pain modulation (primary aims), and autonomic and endothelial functions (secondary aims) were examined in 64 pain-free participants: 22 with normal adiposity (de...

This file provides additional information for the Methods and Results of the main text.

Chronic pain (CP) and PTSD often co-occur, leading to increased symptom severity, anxiety, depression, disability, and opioid use. Reduced cardiac vagal activity (CVA) and emotion regulation (ER) are both observed within these patients, which is indicated to induce heightened anxiety when faced with pain or trauma reminders. Thus, we aim to specifi...

Background Polyphenols are naturally occurring organic compounds found in plants. Research suggests that their intake reduces the risk of cognitive decline and related dementias. Grapes and blueberries are polyphenol-rich foods that have attracted attention for their potential cognitive-enhancing effects. Purpose Examine the effects of supplementa...

Background: Applying an ice cube to the temple (the conditioning stimulus) inhibits electrically evoked pain in the forearm. The present study aimed to determine whether temple cooling also inhibits pressure- and heat-pain test stimuli in the upper limb and, if so, to investigate the intra-session test-retest reliability of this response. Addition...

"A customized Cooling-PCS (File S1) with past tense made specific to cold pain during temple cooling was used to assess situational pain catastrophising."

Objective: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is associated with a range of sensory disturbances on the symptomatic side of the body but whether this includes olfaction is uncertain. To clarify this, the aims of this study were to compare ratings of intensity and hedonic appeal of household odorants in CRPS patients and controls, and to determi...

Poster of "High Blood Glucose and Excess Body fat Enhance Pain Sensitivity and Weaken Pain Inhibition in Healthy Adults: A Single-blind Cross-over Randomized Controlled Trial"

To investigate links between blood glucose, body fat mass and pain, the effects of acute hyperglycaemia on pain sensitivity and pain inhibition were examined in healthy adults with normal (n = 24) or excess body fat (n = 20) determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Effects of hyperglycaemia on heart rate variability and reactive hyperaemia w...

Supplementary Table S1: Results from mixed-effects (fixed and random) models that included data from seven participants who completed the first but not the second session (N = 51). Supplementary Table S2: Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for baseline pre-conditioning pain sensitivity and baseline pain inhibition. Supplementary Table S3:...

Background: In Ayurveda, Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil) is referred to as “the elixir of life” and is believed to promote longevity and general wellbeing. Although limited, there are clinical trials to suggest Ocimum tenuiflorum has anti-stress effects. Purpose: Examine the effects of a standardized Ocimum tenuiflorum extract (HolizerTM) on subjec...

Background In Ayurveda, Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil) is referred to as “the elixir of life” and is believed to promote longevity and general wellbeing. Although limited, there are clinical trials to suggest Ocimum tenuiflorum has anti-stress effects. Purpose Examine the effects of a standardized Ocimum tenuiflorum extract (HolizerTM) on subject...

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is often associated with reduced sound tolerance (hyperacusis) on the affected side, but the mechanism of this symptom is unclear. As compensatory increases in central auditory activity after cochlear injury may trigger hyperacusis, hearing and discomfort thresholds to pure tones (250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, 2,00...

Alpha1-adrenoceptors are over-expressed in the epidermis of a subgroup of patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Activating α1-adrenoceptors in epidermal cells increases production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), a mediator of inflammation. To investigate whether this might exacerbate inflammation in CRPS, prima...

Background Lutein and zeaxanthin are fat-soluble, dietary carotenoids with high concentrations in human brain tissue. There have been a number studies confirming an association between lutein and zeaxanthin and cognitive function. Purpose Examine the effects of lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation on cognitive function in adults with self-reporte...

Background Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias and complex regional pain syndrome are rare conditions, and their co-occurrence has not been reported previously. Clinical findings: In two patients, ipsilateral trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias developed after the onset of upper limb complex regional pain syndrome. Hyperalgesia to thermal and mechanica...

Aims Diabetic peripheral neuropathy occurs in about half of people with diabetes, of whom a quarter may develop chronic pain. Pain may remain for years yet be difficult to treat because the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. There is consensus that processing excessive glucose leads to oxidative stress, interfering with normal metabolism. In thi...

The aim of the study was to determine whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) reduced pain and signs of central sensitisation induced by low frequency electrical stimulation in healthy volunteers. Thirty-nine participants received tDCS stimulation under four different conditions: anodal tDCS of the primary motor cortex (M1), anodal t...

Background: Oroxylum indicum has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for the prevention and treatment of several diseases and may have neuroprotective effects. Purpose: Examine the effects of Oroxylum indicum on cognitive function in older adults with self-reported cognitive complaints. Study Design: Two-arm, parallel-group, 12-week, rand...

Converging lines of evidence suggest that autonomic and nociceptive pathways linked with the locus coeruleus are disrupted in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). To investigate this, pupillary dilatation to arousal stimuli (which reflects neural activity in the locus coeruleus) and pupillary reflexes to light were assessed in a cross-sectional s...

In this 28-day, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 100 adults with self-reported poor sleep received either a placebo or a standardised Bacopa monnieri extract (150 mg twice daily). Outcome measures included the Bergen Insomnia Scale (primary outcome measure), Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Diary, Shor...

Objective/Background: To validate and extend on previous positive findings of the sleep-enhancing effects of saffron supplementation in adults with unsatisfactory sleep. Patients/Methods: In this 28-day, 3-arm, parallel-group, double-blind, randomised controlled trial, 120 adults with unsatisfactory sleep received either a placebo, 14 mg, or 28 mg...

Diabetic neuropathy (dNP) patients often suffer from severe neuropathic pain. It was suggested that alpha-1 adrenoceptor (α1-AR) hyperresponsiveness contributes to pain in dNP. The aim of our study was to quantify α1-AR expression using immunohistochemistry in skin biopsies of nine patients with painful diabetic neuropathy compared to 10 healthy co...

Introduction: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays a central role in the stress response. Plants, herbs, spices, and plant-based nutrients may influence HPA-axis activity. Objective: To evaluate randomised controlled, human trials assessing the effects of single plants or phytonutrients on HPA-axis related hormones. Methods: A s...

Objectives: The expression of pain in males and females involves complex socio-psychological mechanisms. Males may report lower pain to a female experimenter to appear strong, whereas females may report higher pain to a male experimenter to appear weak and to seek protection. However, evidence to support these stereotypes is inconclusive. Individu...

In complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), hyperalgesia encompasses uninjured sites on the ipsilateral side of the body and may also include the special senses, as auditory discomfort often is greater on the CRPS-affected side. To determine whether this hemi-lateral hyperalgesia involves the visual system, the discomfort threshold to a light-source...

Objectives: In complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), sensory deficits and/or hyperalgesia often extend beyond the affected limb to encompass other sites on the ipsilateral side of the body. The aim of this study was to determine whether hyperalgesia in the ipsilateral forehead reflects disinhibition and/or sensitization of trigeminal afferent or...

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and suitability of a brief integrative intervention, Personalized Integrative Therapy (PI Therapy), for the treatment of adult depression and/or anxiety. In this 6-week, 3-arm, parallel-group, randomized trial, PI Therapy delivered alone or with nutritional supplements (PI Therapy + Supps) was c...

Purpose of review: To review mechanisms of blushing and fear of blushing from physiological, neuropharmacological and psychological viewpoints, and to evaluate current forms of treatment for blushing-related fear. Recent findings: Blushing appears to be driven primarily by sympathetic adrenomedullary and neural vasodilator discharge, possibly in...

After peripheral nerve injury, regeneration or collateral sprouting of noradrenergic nerve fibres in the papillary dermis of the injured limb may contribute to sympathetically-maintained pain. The aim of this study was to determine whether noradrenergic nerve fibre regeneration after partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSL) in Wistar rats was accompani...

Objective To investigate the preventive effects of a combined antioxidant drug known as NEC (N‐acetylcysteine, Vitamin E and C) on migraine outcomes. Migraine is characterised by increased oxidative stress and neurogenic inflammation in the brain; therefore antioxidants may have a migraine preventive effect. Design Randomized, double‐blind, sham‐c...

Herbal treatments are often used as a treatment for migraine. Therefore, an evaluation of their safety and efficacy is important. Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines, and Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias, a systematic literature review of randomised, controlled human...

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Herbal medicines are frequently used by adults with sleep difficulties. However, evidence of their efficacy is limited. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine the sleep-enhancing effects of a standardised saffron extract (affron). METHODS: This was a 28-day, parallel-group, double-blind, randomised controlled trial. Sixt...

The comparative treatment efficiency of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and prolonged exposure (PE) therapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was tested for 20 participants diagnosed with PTSD. Efficiency was operationalized as the total exposure time to traumatic memories during and between sess...

The noradrenaline transporter (NAT) transfers noradrenaline released into the synaptic cleft back into the presynaptic terminal, thus terminating neurotransmission. Although the distribution of NAT within the central nervous system has been well-characterized, less is known about its distribution elsewhere in the peripheral nervous system and in or...

Background: As a stand-alone intervention, saffron has efficacy for the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression. However, research as an adjunct agent is limited. Aims: The effects of saffron as an adjunct to pharmaceutical antidepressants in adults with persistent depression was investigated. Methods: In this eight-week, randomised, double-blin...

Objective: Studies in rodents suggest that cutaneous beta-2 adrenoceptors (β2-ARs) mediate inflammation and pain after tissue injury and that inflammation and peripheral nerve injury trigger increases in neuronal β2-AR expression. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression of β2-ARs on keratinocytes and dermal nerves in patient...

Purpose Although autonomic features are part of the diagnostic criteria for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), the role of the autonomic nervous system in CRPS pathophysiology has been downplayed in recent years. The purpose of this review is to redress this imbalance. Methods We focus in this review on the contribution of the autonomic nervou...

Residual lower limb pain after low back surgery (post-surgical sciatica) and complex regional pain syndrome involving a lower limb (CRPS) are separate conditions, but may share some mechanisms (e.g., tissue inflammation, neuro-immune disturbances and central neuro-plasticity). As adrenergically-evoked pain contributes, in part, to CRPS, whether an...

Diet, sleep, and exercise are lifestyle factors important for the prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. These lifestyle factors can contribute to dysregulation in important physiological mechanisms associated with psychiatric disorders and influ...

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a herb commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine to promote youthful vigor, enhance muscle strength and endurance, and improve overall health. In this 16-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, its effects on fatigue, vigor, and steroid hormones in aging men were investigated. Overweight me...

Psychiatric disorders are characterized by an overlapping set of pathophysiological pathways that include monoamines but also neurotrophins, apoptotic and mitochondrial pathways, epigenetics, and dysregulation of immunity and redox balance, counterbalanced by cellular resilience and defence pathways and the effects of treatment. These conspire in a...

Exposure to moderate levels of ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) is painless but nevertheless induces an inflammatory response that sensitizes primary afferent nociceptors. Subsequently, heating the UVB-treated site can sensitize spinal nociceptors. We used a repeated-measures design to determine whether heating the UVB-treated site also triggers ipsil...

The aim of this study was to determine whether upregulated cutaneous expression of α1-adrenoceptors (α1-AR) is a source of pain in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Immunohistochemistry was used to identify α1-AR on nerve fibres and other targets in the affected and contralateral skin of 90 patients, and in skin samples from 38 p...

An interaction between cutaneous nerves and mast cells may contribute to pain in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). To explore this, we investigated the density of dermal nerve fibres, and the density and proximity of mast cells to nerve fibres, in skin biopsies obtained from the affected and unaffected limbs of 57 patients with CRPS and 28 sit...

Sensory disturbances often spread beyond the site of injury in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) but whether this applies equally to CRPS I and II, or changes across the course of the disease, is unknown. Establishing this is important, because different symptom profiles in CRPS I and II, or in acute versus chronic CRPS, might infer different p...

Background Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is associated with deficits in limb‐recognition. The purpose of our study was to determine whether mental load during this task affected performance, sympathetic nervous system activity or pain in CRPS‐patients. Methods We investigated twenty CRPS‐I patients with pain in the upper extremity and twen...

Background: Saffron has antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in adults with mild-to-moderate depression. However, this is the first study examining its mood-related effects in teenagers. Methods: In this 8-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, youth aged 12-16 years, with mild-to-moderate anxiety or depressive symptoms were...

Stimulation of α1-adrenoceptors evokes inflammatory cytokine production, boosts neurogenic inflammation and pain, and influences cellular migration and proliferation. Hence, these receptors may play a role both in normal and abnormal wound healing. To investigate this, the distribution of α1-adrenoceptors in skin biopsies of burn scars (N=17), kelo...

Objective: Sensory disturbances are common in chronic pain patients. Hyperacusis can be an especially debilitating experience. Here, we review published work on how the auditory and nociceptive systems might interact in chronic pain syndromes to produce pain-hyperacusis. Design: Literature review. Study sample: The PubMed and Scopus databases...

The R3 component of the electrically evoked blink reflex may form part of a startle reaction. Acoustic startle responses are augmented by yohimbine, an α2-adrenoceptor antagonist that blocks α2-autoreceptors, and are potentiated by opioid receptor blockade. To investigate these influences on electrically evoked startle responses, 16 mg yohimbine, w...

Background The mechanisms of clinical pain relief associated with spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) are poorly understood. Our objective was to determine whether lumbar high-velocity low-amplitude SMT altered pressure pain threshold (PPT) and pinprick sensitivity (PPS) locally and remotely, how long any change lasted (up to 30 min), and whether cha...

Several studies of neuropathic pain have linked abnormal adrenergic signalling to the development and maintenance of pain, although the mechanisms underlying this are not yet fully understood. Metabolomic analysis is a technique that can be used to give a snapshot of biochemical status, and can aid in the identification of the mechanisms behind pat...

In healthy humans, high-frequency electrical stimulation (HFS) of the forearm not only evokes local signs of central sensitization but also triggers broader ipsilateral inhibitory influences on pain akin to a lateralized form of conditioned pain modulation. Paradoxically, some of these inhibitory influences are augmented by α2-adrenoceptor blockade...

The authors investigated the impact of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and prolonged exposure (PE) on the volumes of the amygdala and hippocampus, structures known to be important in fear conditioning, in 20 patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Patients were randomly allocated to either EMDR or PE. Volumes were a...

This preliminary study examined the physiological correlates of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy when effectively used to treat trauma symptoms in a postconflict, developing nation, Timor-Leste. Participants were 20 Timorese adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms treated with EMDR therapy. PTSD, depres...

Objective: To investigate signs of central sensitization in a cohort of patients with chronic whiplash associated headache (CWAH). Background: Central sensitization is one of the mechanisms leading to chronicity of primary headache, and thus might contribute to CWAH. However, the pathophysiological mechanism of CWAH is poorly understood and whet...

Background: In healthy humans, high-frequency electrical stimulation (HFS) of the forearm not only produces hyperalgesia at the site of stimulation but also reduces sensitivity to pressure-pain on the ipsilateral side of the forehead. In addition, HFS augments the ipsilateral trigeminal nociceptive blink reflex and intensifies the ipsilateral compo...

The effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for treating trauma symptoms was examined in a postwar/conflict, developing nation, Timor Leste. Participants were 21 Timorese adults with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), assessed as those who scored ≥2 on the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ). Part...

Introduction: Pain, mood problems and sleeping difficulties are often comorbid and contribute to reduced physical function and quality of life for those suffering from chronic pain. However, the way in which these factors interact is unclear. Until recently it was thought that the effect of sleep on pain and physical function was simply a result o...

Background: The sympathetic nervous system may play an important role in certain forms of chronic pain. The main aim of this study was to determine whether functional blockade of α1 -adrenoceptors would alter sensitivity to cutaneous stimulation in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Methods and results: In an initial study, hig...

Reverse transcriptase PCR image showing presence or absence of mycoplasma contamination in several cell lines. The image show absence of mycoplasma contamination in N1E-115 cells, by lack of a 300 bp PCR product in this lane

Reverse transcriptase PCR image acquired from 8 to 12 weeks old female C57BL/6 mice brains, stored in RNAlater. M, molecular lane marker (100 bp); 1, mouse brain α1A-AR (333 bp); 2, mouse brain α1B-AR (139 bp); 3, mouse brain α1D-AR (281 bp); 4, mouse brain GAPDH (167 bp). Abbrevations: α1-AR, α1-adrenergic receptor

This commentary accompanies the following article: Bank, P.J.M., Peper, C.E., Marinus, J., Van Hilten, J.J., Beek, P.J. (2015). Intended and unintended (sensory-)motor coupling between the affected and unaffected upper limb in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Eur J Pain 19, 1021-1034.

Over several millennia, substances have been applied to the skin for treatment of pain. Some ingredients are in current use; others have been discontinued. Mechanisms of action include interactions with nociceptive neural networks and inflammatory processes. Substances must penetrate the stratum corneum barrier and vehicles that enhance penetration...

Blushing was recently introduced in the DSM‐5 as a “hallmark” physiological response of social anxiety disorder, and it is now acknowledged as an important aspect of social anxiety. Three meta‐analyses were performed to examine the association between blushing and social anxiety. The relationship between blushing and social anxiety was strong for s...

Blushing was recently introduced in the DSM-5 as a “hallmark” physiological response of social anxiety disorder, and it is now acknowledged as an important aspect of social anxiety. Three meta-analyses were performed to examine the association between blushing and social anxiety. The relationship between blushing and social anxiety was strong for s...

Background In healthy humans, high-frequency electrical stimulation (HFS) of the forearm not only produces hyperalgesia at the site of stimulation but also reduces sensitivity to pressure-pain on the ipsilateral side of the forehead. In addition, HFS augments the ipsilateral trigeminal nociceptive blink reflex and intensifies the ipsilateral compon...

Stimulation of α1-adrenoceptors evokes inflammatory cytokine production, boosts neurogenic inflammation and pain, and influences cellular migration and proliferation. As expression of α1-adrenoceptors increases on dermal nerves and keratinocytes after peripheral nerve injury, the aim of this study was to determine whether another form of tissue inj...

A recent randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled study conducted by our research group, provided partial support for the efficacy of supplementation with a patented curcumin extract (500 mg, twice daily) for 8 weeks in reducing depressive symptoms in people with major depressive disorder. In the present paper, a secondary, exploratory analysis...

Background: Saffron, a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, has now undergone several trials examining its antidepressant effects and, in a recent meta-analysis, was confirmed to be effective for the treatment of major depression. Objective: To provide an expanded systematic analysis of the completed clinical studies on saffron and depr...

Background Ambiguous visual stimuli increase limb pain in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), possibly due to afferent sensory feedback conflicts. Conflicting sensory stimuli can also generate unpleasant sensations in healthy people such as during motion sickness. We wanted to investigate the mechanisms underlying the link between...

Background In a small radioligand-binding study of cutaneous α1-adrenoceptors in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), signal intensity was greater in the CRPS-affected limb than in controls. However, it was not possible to localize heightened expression of α1-adrenoceptors to nerves, sweat glands, blood vessels, or keratinocytes using this techni...

In certain forms of nerve injury and inflammation, noradrenaline augments pain via actions on up-regulated α1-adrenoceptors (α1-AR). The aim of this study was to use immunohistochemistry to examine α1-AR expression on peripheral neurons, cutaneous blood vessels and keratinocytes after distal tibia fracture and cast immobilization, a model of comple...

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) continues to attract both empirical and clinical interest due to its complex symptom profile and the underlying processes involved. Recently, research attention has been focused on the types of memory processes involved in PTSD and hypothesized neurobiological processes. Complicating this exploration, and the t...

In the 1990s, the dogma that sympathetic blockade was a first-line treatment for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) was shattered by accusations that benefits were due to placebo effects and that this treatment approach was “entrepreneurially inspired” [7]. Since then, systematic examination of the literature base has provided little support for...

Under normal conditions, the sympathetic neurotransmitter noradrenaline inhibits the production and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, after peripheral nerve and tissue injury, pro-inflammatory cytokines appear to induce the expression of the alpha1A-adrenoceptor subtype on immune cells and perhaps also on other cells in the injured ti...

Opioid induced depression of sex hormones is a common finding in chronic pain patients receiving long-term opioids by oral, parenteral and even intrathecal routes of administration. The hypothalamic suppression by opioids leads to a hypogonadal state with low testosterone levels in males and subsequent low bone mineral density (BMD). We have studie...

To investigate cervical, interictal reproduction of usual head pain and its effect on the nociceptive blink reflex in migraineurs. Anatomical and neurophysiological studies in animals and humans have confirmed functional convergence of trigeminal and cervical afferent pathways. Migraineurs often present with occipital and neck symptoms, and cervica...

High-frequency electrical stimulation (HFS) of the human forearm evokes analgesia to blunt pressure in the ipsilateral forehead, consistent with descending ipsilateral inhibitory pain modulation. The aim of the current study was to further delineate pain modulation processes evoked by HFS by examining sensory changes in the arm and forehead; invest...

Children and their families who attended an emergency department following a single traumatic incident and who agreed to participate in a psychological treatment study (N = 211) were compared with nonparticipants (N = 2333) on several measures of trauma and injury severity: duration of admission and heart rate in the emergency department, emergency...

Attachment-related anxiety and avoidance are potentially important aspects of pain experience and management, but have not been investigated in episodic headache sufferers or in relation to experimentally-evoked headache. To determine whether adult insecure attachment styles were associated with sensitivity to pain or headache before, during or aft...

The pathogenesis of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is unresolved, but TNF-α and IL-6 are elevated in experimental skin blister fluid from CRPS affected limbs, as is tryptase, a marker for mast cells. In the rat fracture model of CRPS exaggerated sensory and sympathetic neural signaling stimulate keratinocyte and mast cell proliferation, caus...

Biomarkers are regularly used in medicine to provide objective indicators of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes or pharmacological responses to therapeutic interventions, and have proved invaluable in expanding our understanding and treatment of medical diseases. In the field of psychiatry, assessment and treatment has, however, prim...

Methodological concerns are explored and questions raised about the validity of conclusions reached in a recent article by Renner, Bänninger-Huber and Peltzer (2011). These authors reported treatment outcomes of Chechen asylum seekers and refugees with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression following treatment with Group Cogni...