The Effects of Psychotherapy on Single and Repeated Ketamine Infusion(s) Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression: The Convergence of Molecular and Psychological Treatment.
International journal of molecular sciences – July 11, 2025
Source: PubMed
Summary
Combining psychotherapy with ketamine infusion therapy dramatically enhances its rapid antidepressant effects. A review of patient data showed that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists like ketamine promote neuroplasticity, creating a unique window for therapeutic change. For treatment-resistant depression (TRD), those receiving ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) experienced the most pronounced symptom reduction, highlighting the benefits of integrated care.
Abstract
Ketamine infusion therapy has gained recognition as an innovative treatment for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), demonstrating rapid and robust antidepressant effects. Its therapeutic promise is increasingly understood to involve molecular and neurobiological processes that promote neural plasticity and cognitive flexibility. These changes may create a unique window for psychotherapeutic interventions to take deeper effect. This retrospective chart review examined the clinical outcomes of individuals with TRD who received either single or repeated ketamine infusion(s), with or without weekly psychotherapy. Depression severity, measured by Beck Depression Inventory scores, was assessed pre-treatment and 30 days post-infusion(s). The results showed significant symptom reduction across all groups, with the most pronounced effects observed in those who received concurrent psychotherapy. While infusion number did not significantly alter outcomes, the integration of ketamine with psychotherapy appeared to enhance treatment response.