MDMA-facilitated cognitive-behavioural conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: an uncontrolled trial.
Candice M Monson, Anne C Wagner, Ann T Mithoefer, Rachel E Liebman, Allison A Feduccia, Lisa Jerome, Berra Yazar-Klosinski, Amy Emerson, Rick Doblin, Michael C Mithoefer
European journal of psychotraumatology December 7, 2020 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2020.1840123 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA small pilot study tested whether adding MDMA to cognitive-behavioural conjoint therapy (CBCT) for PTSD is safe and effective. Six couples, where one partner had PTSD, completed a condensed 7-week CBCT protocol that included two sessions where both partners received MDMA. No serious side effects occurred. PTSD symptoms improved substantially, as rated by clinicians, patients, and partners (effect sizes d = 1.85–3.59). Patients also showed improvements in depression, sleep, emotion regulation, and trauma-related beliefs. Relationship adjustment and happiness improved for both patients and partners (d = 0.64–2.79). MDMA may enhance CBCT's benefits for individuals with PTSD and their partners.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 6 |
| Population | Couples in which one partner was diagnosed with PTSD |
| Intervention | MDMA-facilitated cognitive-behavioural conjoint therapy |
| Duration | 7-week intervention |
| Topics | MDMA PTSD |
| Keywords | Cognitive-behavioural Conjoint Couple MDMA-Assisted Therapy MDMA MDMA-Facilitated |
| Citations | 90 |
| Key finding | MDMA-facilitated CBCT was safe and associated with large improvements in PTSD symptoms, relationship adjustment, and partner well-being. |
Abstract
Cognitive-behavioural conjoint therapy (CBCT) for PTSD has been shown to improve PTSD, relationship adjustment, and the health and well-being of partners. MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) has been used to facilitate an individual therapy for PTSD. This study was an initial test of the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of MDMA-facilitated CBCT. Six couples with varying levels of baseline relationship satisfaction in which one partner was diagnosed with PTSD participated in a condensed version of the 15-session CBCT protocol delivered over 7 weeks. There were two sessions in which both members of the couple were administered MDMA. All couples completed the treatment protocol, and there were no serious adverse events in either partner. There were significant improvements in clinician-assessed, patient-rated, and partner-rated PTSD symptoms (pre- to post-treatment/follow-up effect sizes ranged from d = 1.85-3.59), as well as patient depression, sleep, emotion regulation, and trauma-related beliefs. In addition, there were significant improvements in patient and partner-rated relationship adjustment and happiness (d =.64-2.79). These results are contextualized in relation to prior results from individual MDMA-facilitated psychotherapy and CBCT for PTSD alone. MDMA holds promise as a facilitator of CBCT to achieve more robust and broad effects on individual and relational functioning in those with PTSD and their partners.