MDMA-assisted brief cognitive behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD: Study protocol for a pilot study.
Contemporary clinical trials communications August 1, 2024 L A Morland, D Perivoliotis, T R Wachsman et al. 4 citations
PTSD harms both individuals and their intimate relationships, and veteran couples face extra strain from deployment and reintegration. Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) and its brief version (bCBCT) consistently reduce PTSD symptoms but have variable effects on relationship functioning. This open-label pilot study tests whether adding MDMA-assisted therapy to bCBCT improves both PTSD and relationship outcomes. Eight veterans with PTSD and their partners (16 people total) will receive bCBCT plus two MDMA sessions and two couple emotion-focused integration sessions. This is the first trial of MDMA-assisted bCBCT in U.S. military veterans and partners, aiming to develop a scalable treatment model for the VA healthcare system.