Understanding the Experience of Ketamine-Assisted Therapy and the Importance of Context.

In-depth interviews with 12 people receiving ketamine-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression reveal that preparation of mind-set—including openness, clear intentions, mindfulness, and understanding how the therapy works—supports therapeutic benefit. Comfort in the setting, fostered by learning about the therapist's personal experiences, a strong therapeutic alliance, and feeling safe, helps patients 'let go.' External cues like music can guide a spiritual journey. Caution is warranted when trauma surfaces and letting go leaves patients feeling vulnerable. These contextual processes inform future clinical trials and improve the efficacy of ketamine-assisted therapy.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT) is a novel modality that shows promise as a treatment for depression. The current study sought to add to the scarce research in the area and inform future applications of KAT for patients with treatment-resistant depression. The study used in-depth qualitative interviews (N = 12) to explore participants' perceptions of KAT, including working with therapists, the ketamine experience, the therapeutic setting, and how these aspects impacted experiences and their lives following treatment. Thematic analysis indicated that preparation of mind-set supported therapeutic benefit, which was underscored by openness, clear therapeutic intentions, mindfulness, and understanding the mechanisms of how KAT works. Additionally, comfort in the setting supported participants to "let go" and was facilitated by learning about the therapist's personal experiences, a strong therapeutic alliance, and feeling safe. External physical cues such as music also influenced the experience, facilitating a spiritual journey guiding the experience. Words of caution were expressed where trauma had been unveiled and letting go had left participants feeling vulnerable. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the impact of contextual processes during KAT to inform future clinical trials and improve the clinical efficacy of KAT.