The effect of post-traumatic stress on the dynamics of emotional state in patients with cerebral meningioma after stereotactic radiosurgery

Context and relevance. Cerebral meningioma is the most prevalent benign tumor of the central nervous system. Despite favorable outcomes following stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), a considerable proportion of patients continues to experience significant psychological distress. Post-traumatic stress symptoms play a key role in the formation and chronification of emotional disadaptation, being associated both with the current illness situation and with prior traumatic experience. The persistence of emotional disadaptation symptoms, including post-traumatic ones, in the absence of tumor progression points to their predominantly psychogenic nature and highlights the need to examine the role of PTS in the dynamics of adaptation to the disease. Objective. To examine the longitudinal dynamics of emotional disadaptation, including post-traumatic stress symptoms, in patients with сerebral meningioma, identify individual adaptation trajectories, and determine the role of prior traumatic experience in their formation. Methods and materials. Sixty-two patients with CM (91% female, mean age 57,8 years) underwent repeated psychological assessment six months after SRS. The assessment battery included the modified Distress Thermometer (Holland), PCL-5, Beck Depression Inventory, Spielberger—Hanin Anxiety Scale, Ruminative Response Scale, and the Somatosensory Amplification Scale. Statistical analyses comprised paired-sample t-tests, repeated-measures ANOVA, hierarchical cluster analysis, and binary logistic regression (IBM SPSS Statistics 23). Results. At six months post-SRS, PTS symptoms remained at baseline levels (p = 0,583); statistically significant improvement was observed only for state anxiety (p < 0,01). Cluster analysis identified three adaptation trajectories: improvement (43,5%), stability (40,3%), and deterioration (16,1%). Logistic regression revealed three significant predictors of an unfavorable trajectory: prior traumatic experience (OR = 6,49; p < 0,01), elevated rumination (p < 0,01), and younger age (p < 0,05). Conclusions. The findings demonstrate the persistence of PTS symptoms after successful CM treatment and confirm the key role of prior traumatic experience in the chronification of emotional disadaptation. Patients with a traumatic history are 6,5 times more likely to show deterioration (OR = 6,49; p < 0,01). The results support the need for targeted PTS screening and differentiated psychological support incorporating trauma history assessment at the pre-SRS stage.

1. Казымова, Н.Н. (2020). Посттравматический стресс и предшествующий травматический опыт в раннем взрослом возрасте. Общество: социология, психология, педагогика, 12(80), 157— https://doi.org/10.24158/spp.2020.12.29
   Kazymova, N.N. (2020). Post-traumatic stress and previous traumatic experiences in early adulthood. Society: sociology, psychology, pedagogy, 12(80), 157—160. https://doi.org/10.24158/spp.2020.12.29 (In Russ.).
2. Пенцак, Ю.Ю., Холмогорова, А.Б., Евдокимова, О.Л., Гринь, А.А. (2025). Психоэмоциональные особенности лиц с диагнозом «менингиома головного мозга». Современная зарубежная психология, 14(1), 36—44. https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2025140104
   Pentsak, Y.Y., Kholmogorova, A.B., Evdokimova, O.L., GrinA.A. (2025). Psychoemotional Characteristics of People Diagnosed with Meningioma. Sovremennaya zarubezhnaya psikhologiya = Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology, 14(1), 36—44. https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2025140104 (In Russ.).
3. Пенцак, Ю.Ю., Холмогорова, А.Б., Евдокимова, О.Л., Гринь, А.А. (2025). Влияние предшествующего психотравмирующего опыта на эмоциональную дезадаптацию у пациентов с церебральной менингиомой, проходящих стереотаксическую радиохирургию. Клиническая и специальная психология, 14(4), 19—38. https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2025140402
   Pentsak, Y.Y., Kholmogorova, A.B., Evdokimova, O.L., Grin, A.A. (2025). The effect of previous traumatic experiences on emotional disadaptation in patients with cerebral meningioma undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery. Clinical Psychology and Special Education, 14(4), 19—38. https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2025140402 (In Russ.).
4. Пенцак, Ю.Ю., Холмогорова, А.Б., Евдокимова, О.Л., Гринь, А.А. (2026). Опухолеассоциированные психологические и социодемографические факторы дистресса у пациентов с церебральной менингиомой, проходящих стереотаксическую радиохирургию . Вестник РГГУ. Серия «Психология. Педагогика. Образование», 2, 50— https://doi.org/10.28995/2073-6398-2026-2-50-71
   Pentsak, Yu.Yu., Kholmogorova, A.B., Evdokimova, O.L., Grin, A.A. (2026). Tumor‑associated psychological and sociodemographic factors of distress in patients with cerebral meningioma undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery. Vestnik RSUH. Series “Psychology. Pedagogy. Education”,2, 50—71. https://doi.org/10.28995/2073-6398-2026-2-50-71 (In Russ.).
5. Тарабрина, Н.В., Харламенкова, Н.Е., Никитина, Д.А. (2015). Уровень посттравматического стресса и психопатологическая симптоматика у пациентов, оперированных по поводу менингиомы. Консультативная психология и психотерапия, 23(3), 32—49. https://doi.org/10.17759/cpp.2015230303
   Tarabrina, N.V., Kharlamenkova, N.E., Nikitina, D.A. (2015). Levels of post-traumatic stress and psychopathological symptoms in patients operated on for meningiomas // Consultative psychology and psychotherapy, 23(3), 32— https://doi.org/10.17759/cpp.2015230303 (In Russ.)
6. Харламенкова, Н.Е., Зайцев, О.С., Никитина, Д.А., Кормилицына, А.Н. (2018). Эмоционально-личностные особенности пациентов с диагнозом менингиома при выраженном посттравматическом стрессе. Клиническая и специальная психология, 7(4), 150—167. https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2018070409
   Kharlamenkova, N.E., Zaitsev, O.S., Nikitina, A.A., KormilitsynaA.N.(2018). Emotional and personal characteristics of patients diagnosed with meningioma with severe post-traumatic stress. Clinical and special psychology, 7(4), 150— https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2018070409 (In Russ.)
7. Auxéméry, Y. (2011). L'étatde stress post-traumatique comme conséquence de l'interaction entre une susceptibilité génétique individuelle, un évènement traumatogène et un contexte social. L'Encéphale, 38(5), 373—380. https://doi.org/1016/j.encep.2011.12.003
8. Cohee, A., Johns, S.A., Alwine, J.S. et al. (2021). The mediating role of avoidant coping in the relationships between physical, psychological, and social wellbeing and distress in breast cancer survivors.Psycho-oncology, 30(7), 1129— https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.5663
9. Crepaldi G., Andreatta P.M. Das kumulative Trauma(2021). Forum der Psychoanalyse, 37, 79— https://doi.org/10.1007/s00451-020-00403-8
10. Van Praag, D.L.G., Cnossen, M.C., Polinder, S., Wilson, L., Maas, A.I.R. (2018). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after Civilian Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prevalence Rates. Journal of Neurotrauma, 36(23), 3220— https://doi.org/10.1089/neu.2018.5759
11. Wiemels, J., Wrensch, M., Claus, E.B. (2010). Epidemiology and etiology of meningiomaюJournal of Neuro-oncology, 99(3), 307—314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-010-0386-3