Getting in Touch with Touch: The Importance of Studying Touch in MDMA-Assisted Therapy and the Development of a New Self-Report Measure

This literature review (2024) examines the role of therapeutic touch in MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT), addressing concerns about power imbalances and ethical boundaries. It introduces the Touch Outcomes Measurement Inventory (TOMI) to assess client perceptions of touch in MDMA-AT, emphasizing the need for evidence-based and ethical guidelines in psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Abstract of Getting in Touch with Touch: The Importance of Studying Touch in MDMA-Assisted Therapy and the Development of a New Self-Report Measure

“Background: MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) is an emerging treatment modality, with recent phase 3 trials indicating its potential for regulatory approval. Central to this therapy is the role of touch, yet its empirical evaluation in MDMA-AT, and psychotherapy in general, remains limited. The use of touch in combination with MDMA raises concerns about power imbalances and ethical boundaries.

Methods: This article reviews existing literature on therapeutic touch and introduces the Touch Outcomes Measurement Inventory (TOMI). The TOMI is developed to assess client perceptions of touch in MDMA-AT, addressing a critical gap in the current research landscape.

Results: The main outcome of this research is the creation of TOMI, a tool aimed at evaluating the impact of touch on clients in MDMA-AT. The review highlights the lack of empirical evidence in this area and the necessity for such a measure.

Discussion: With the increasing likelihood of MDMA-AT becoming a widely used therapy, understanding how therapeutic touch affects clients is imperative. This article emphasizes the need for evidence-based and ethical guidelines for the use of touch in MDMA-AT. The development of TOMI is a step towards achieving this, providing a means for researchers and program evaluators to assess the implications of touch in MDMA-AT and psychedelic-assisted therapy more generally.”

Authors: Jason Luoma, Luke R. Allen, Veronika Gold & Christopher Stauffer

Summary of Getting in Touch with Touch: The Importance of Studying Touch in MDMA-Assisted Therapy and the Development of a New Self-Report Measure

Introduction

MDMA-assisted therapy has been tested for clinical use in multiple phase 2 and phase 3 studies with positive results in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol use disorder, and social anxiety disorder in autistic people. If approved by the US Food & Drug Administration, this intervention could be more widely available.

As such, therapists’ ability and willingness to use touch is framed as an essential part of the ethical provision of MDMA-AT. However, clients have the right to decline the use of touch except to ensure safety.

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Find this paper

Getting in Touch with Touch: The Importance of Studying Touch in MDMA-Assisted Therapy and the Development of a New Self-Report Measure

https://doi.org/10.1089/psymed.2023.0033

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Cite this paper (APA)

Luoma, J., Allen, L. R., Gold, V., & Stauffer, C. (2024). Getting in Touch with Touch: The Importance of Studying Touch in Mdma-assisted Therapy and the Development of a New Self-report Measure. Psychedelic Medicine.

Study details

Compounds studied
MDMA