This Phase 1/2 open-label study will combine methods for conducting MDMA-assisted therapy with methods from the CBCT for PTSD in order to treat 10 participants with chronic PTSD and their partners (intimate or non-intimate significant other who does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD) in order to explore whether combined treatment is effective. Each therapy team will have one therapist trained and experienced in MDMA assisted psychotherapy and one therapist trained and experienced in CBCT.
During the first experimental session, both participants will receive 75 mg of MDMA followed 1.5 to 2 hours later by an optional supplemental half-dose of 37.5 mg. During the second experimental session, an initial dose of either 100 or 75 mg of MDMA will be administered to both participants followed by an optional supplemental half-dose of either 50 mg or 37.5 mg. The primary objective of this study is to assess changes in PTSD symptoms from Baseline to Primary Endpoint in CAPS-5 total severity scores in PTSD participants.
Trial Details
PTSD is a stress-related psychiatric condition that may occur following a traumatic event such as war, disaster, sexual abuse, violence, terrorism, and accidents. PTSD negatively impacts a person's daily life, resulting in relationship difficulties, difficulty in finding and maintaining a job, reduced cognitive and psychosocial functioning, substance abuse, high-cost healthcare use, and increased depression and suicide risk. 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine is a drug that releases serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain and indirectly increases levels of the neurohormones oxytocin, arginine vasopressin and cortisol. In the context of psychotherapy, MDMA has been noted to reduce defenses and fear of emotional injury while enhancing communication and capacity for introspection. Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) for PTSD is a three-phase, 15-session, manualized treatment. This Phase 1/2 open-label study will combine methods for conducting MDMA-assisted therapy with methods from the CBCT for PTSD in order to treat 10 participants with chronic PTSD and their partners (intimate or non-intimate significant other who does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD) in order to explore whether combined treatment is effective. Each therapy team will have one therapist trained and experienced in MDMA assisted therapy and one therapist trained and experienced in CBCT. During the first experimental session, both participants will receive 75 mg of MDMA followed 1.5 to 2 hours later by an optional supplemental half-dose of 37.5 mg. During the second experimental session, an initial dose of either 100 or 75 mg of MDMA will be administered to both participants followed by an optional supplemental half-dose of either 50 mg or 37.5 mg. The primary objective of this study is to assess changes in PTSD symptoms from Baseline to Primary Endpoint in Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) total severity scores in PTSD participants.NCT Number NCT02876172
Sponsors & Collaborators
MAPSMAPS stands for Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, it's the front runner in making psychedelics a legal way to use (and improve) in therapy.
Papers
MDMA-facilitated cognitive-behavioural conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: an uncontrolled trialThis open-label study (n=12, 6 couples) describes the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of MDMA in combination with cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy (CBCT) where one half of the couple was battling with PTSD.
Measures Used
Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) is often considered the gold standard in PTSD assessment. The 30-item structured interview was developed by staff at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Centre for PTSD. CAPS can be used to make a current diagnosis, lifetime diagnosis or assess PTSD symptoms over the past week in accordance with DSM-5 criteria.