MPG1: Study of Feasibility and Safety of MDMA-Assisted Group Therapy for the Treatment of PTSD in Veterans
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
This Phase 2, open-label, non-randomized, 3-cohort study assesses the feasibility and safety of MDMA-assisted group therapy for the treatment of PTSD in veterans. The study will be conducted in up to N=18 participants, recruited in three cohorts of six participants and receive therapy sessions throughout their participation in these groups.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
Phase 2 |
Detailed Description
To further assess the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of MDMA-assisted group therapy for participants with at least moderate PTSD, the sponsor is conducting a phase 2, open-label, non-randomized, 3-cohort study. This novel treatment package consists of two once-monthly Experimental Sessions of therapy combined with a divided-dose of MDMA, along with non-drug preparatory and integrative therapy administered in both individual and group sessions. The Primary Outcome measure, the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5), evaluates changes in PTSD symptom severity and is assessed by a blinded centralized Independent Rater (IR) pool. The therapeutic approach will combine manualized MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD with group therapy components.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Two MDMA-assisted Therapy Sessions Two Experimental MDMA-assisted Therapy Sessions, and four Integrative Sessions following each Experimental Sessions. |
Drug: MDMA
Initial dose of 120 mg MDMA HCL and optional supplemental dose of 40 or 60 mg MDMA HCL at 1.5 to 2 hours after first dose
Other Names:
Behavioral: Therapy
Standardized non-directive psychotherapy performed by therapist team
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Change in CAPS-5 Total Severity Score from Baseline to Visit 16 [Baseline - 3 months from enrollment]
The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-IV (CAPS-IV) is a clinician administered and scored assessment of PTSD symptoms via structured interview based upon PTSD diagnosis in DSM-IV. It contains symptom subscales, a CAPS-IV total severity score, and a diagnostic score. The total severity score is a sum of symptom frequency and intensity scores for the subscales B (re-experiencing), C (avoidance) and D (hypervigilance) and ranges from 0 to 136, with higher scores indicating greater severity of PTSD symptoms. The dichotomous diagnostic score is based upon meeting each of five criteria, including index trauma, presence or absence of Criteria B, C, D described above, duration of symptoms and distress and is scored as meeting versus not meeting criteria for diagnosis.
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Change in Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) from Baseline to Visit 16 [Baseline - 3 months from enrollment]
Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) total score, a measure of clinician-rated functional impairment. The items indicate degree of impairment in the domains of work/school, social life, and home life, with response options based on an eleven-point scale (0=not at all to 10=extremely), and five verbal tags (not at all, mildly, moderately, markedly, extremely).
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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Are at least 18 years old.
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Are fluent in speaking and reading the predominantly used or recognized language of the study site.
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Are able to swallow pills.
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Agree to have study visits recorded, including Experimental Sessions, Independent Rater assessments, and non-drug psychotherapy sessions.
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Must provide a contact (relative, spouse, close friend or other caregiver) who is willing and able to be reached by the investigators in the event of a participant becoming suicidal or unreachable.
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Must agree to inform the investigators within 48 hours of any medical conditions and procedures.
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If of childbearing potential, must have a negative pregnancy test at study entry and prior to each Experimental Session, and must agree to use adequate birth control through 10 days after the last Experimental Session.
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Must not participate in any other interventional clinical trials during the duration of the study.
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Must be willing to remain overnight at the study site after each Experimental Session and be driven home after, and commit to medication dosing, therapy, and study procedures.
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At baseline, have moderate PTSD diagnosis.
Exclusion Criteria:
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Are not able to give adequate informed consent.
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Have uncontrolled hypertension.
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Have a marked baseline prolongation of QT/QTc interval (e.g., repeated demonstration of a QTc interval >450 milliseconds [ms] corrected by Bazett's formula).
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Have a history of additional risk factors for Torsade de pointes (e.g., heart failure, hypokalemia, family history of Long QT Syndrome).
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Have evidence or history of significant medical disorders.
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Have symptomatic liver disease.
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Have history of hyponatremia or hyperthermia.
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Weigh less than 48 kilograms (kg).
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Are pregnant or nursing, or are of childbearing potential and are not practicing an effective means of birth control.
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Are abusing illegal drugs.
Contacts and Locations
Locations
No locations specified.Sponsors and Collaborators
- Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies
Investigators
None specified.Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- MPG1