Expectancy effects cannot be neglected in MDMA-assisted therapy research
L. J. Flameling, Jacob S. Aday, Michiel van Elk 1 citation preprint
A commentary on a phase 3 trial of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD raises concerns about expectancy effects. The trial reported positive results, but most participants correctly guessed their treatment assignment, and expectations were not measured. The authors argue these effects were minimal, but the commentary contends that without measuring expectations, it remains possible that placebo or nocebo effects contributed to the observed outcomes.