Frontline Clinician Psilocybin Study

We aim to investigate the effects of a single dose of psilocybin, delivered in the context of pre- and post-dose psychotherapy, on symptoms of depression and burnout suffered by healthcare clinicians as a result of frontline work in the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID) pandemic.

Topic Depression Anxiety
Compound Psilocybin Placebo
Country United States of America
Visit trial
Status Recruiting
Results Published
Start date 15 December 2021
End date 01 December 2023
Chance of happening 89%
Phase Phase I Phase II
Design Blinded
Type Interventional
Generation First
Participants 30
Sex All
Age 18- 99
Therapy No

Trial Details

Aim 1: To assess short- and longer-term effects of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) on symptoms of depression experienced by physicians and nurses with frontline work exposure in the COVID pandemic. Hypothesis 1.1: Compared to active placebo, PAP will result in short term improvement in symptoms of depression 1 day and 1 week after the psilocybin dose session. Hypothesis 1.2: Compared to active placebo, PAP will result in longer term improvement of symptoms of depression 4 weeks after the medication dosing session. The primary outcome will be a comparison between the psilocybin 25 mg vs control groups of a combination of depression symptoms measured at 4 weeks post medication dose session. 1.1.2. Aim 2: To explore short- and longer-term effects of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) on symptoms of burnout experienced by physicians and nurses with frontline work exposure in the COVID pandemic. Hypothesis 2.1: Compared to active placebo, PAP will result in short term improvement in symptoms of burnout 1 day and 1 week after the psilocybin dose session.

NCT Number NCT05163496

Papers

Psilocybin Therapy for Clinicians With Symptoms of Depression From Frontline Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
This double-blind randomized trial (n=30) finds that psilocybin therapy significantly reduces symptoms of depression in clinicians after frontline work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psilocybin (25mg) showed greater reductions in depression (MADRS scores) and PTSD symptoms compared to the niacin control, though PTSD findings were not statistically significant.

Measures Used

Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale
A ten-item diagnostic questionnaire used to measure the severity of depressive symptoms in patients with mood disorders.

PTSD Checklist for DSM-5
The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) is a 20-item instrument that can be used to make a provisional diagnosis of PTSD based on DSM-5 criteria.

Beck Depression Inventory
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) contains 21 self-report items, completed using a multiple-choice format. Scores range from 0-63 with higher scores associated with more severe depression.

Data attribution

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