Ketamine, SGB and Combination Treatment for TBI-associated Headache or PTSD

This is a multicenter randomized, double-blind (subject, evaluator) placebo-controlled parallel-group clinical trial where 175 eligible subjects will be randomized into 1 of 4 groups (described below) using a 2:2:2:1 ratio. The purpose of the trial is to test the efficacy and comparative effectiveness of SGB and ketamine infusion on PTSD and post-traumatic headache. There are no reliably effective treatments for either PTSD or TBI-associated headaches, with preliminary and/or conflicting results suggesting efficacy for both SGB and ketamine for both conditions. The first three groups will receive at least one intervention, with a smaller number receiving sham SGB/ placebo ketamine, which is necessary to determine efficacy and serve as a comparator. Several patient-reported outcomes, including quality of life measures, will be collected at baseline and the primary endpoint at 4 weeks. There will also be patient-reported outcome measures recorded at 1 and 2 weeks. Those with a positive categorical response (described under data collection) at 4 weeks will be followed further at 8 and 12 weeks. Those with negative outcomes will exit the study and be followed as an observational cohort where they will be eligible for non-study measures as determined by the treating providers. This may include other novel treatments such as using higher doses of ketamine, left-sided sympathetic blocks, sympathetic blocks with botulinum toxin and liposomal bupivacaine, and the use of neuromodulation. For all patients who continue to experience a positive categorical outcome, unblinding will occur at 12 weeks, and they will be followed at 6 months as part of an observational cohort whereby the same outcome measures will be recorded. Those who exit the study and are unblinded at early time points (i.e., 4, 8 or 12 weeks in those with a 12-week negative outcome) will be followed as an observational cohort if they received one of the study treatments, including a variation (e.g., a higher dose of ketamine, a left-sided cervical sympathetic blocks). These time points will be the same as in the clinical trial portion of the study (1,2,4,8 and 12 weeks), and 6 months. For those in either the clinical trial extension or observational cohort who continue to experience a positive outcome at 6 months, we will again follow them at 12 months.