Detection of dissociative states in patients during the administration of Es-ketamine by monitoring with the Dissociative Experience Scale II (DES II) - Part I
European Psychiatry April 1, 2025 Cristina Serritella, Federica Ferraiuolo, Mark Piccirillo et al.
Treatment with esketamine (Spravato) led to significant clinical improvement in most patients, as measured by the Clinical Global Impression and Dissociative Experience Scale II. Among 15 patients, dissociative symptoms decreased by an average of 14.65 points on the DES II (mean effect +0.98). CGI improvement showed an effect size of +56.57, with wide variability from +30.4 to +117.9. Two patients—a 31-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman—experienced clinical worsening with high dissociation, suggesting age and dissociative vulnerability may influence response. The scales proved complementary for monitoring change, and this work is the first attempt to differentiate traumatic from psychotic dissociation in esketamine-treated patients.