MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy in People With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Study Results

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Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

PHASE2

Total Enrollment

23 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2004-03-12

Study Completion Date

2010-06-21

Brief Summary

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The goal of this clinical trial is to compare MDMA-assisted therapy to placebo with therapy in people with chronic, treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The main question it aims to answer is: Is there a reduction in PTSD symptoms among people given MDMA-assisted therapy compared to placebo with therapy?

Participants will receive either MDMA-assisted therapy or placebo with therapy during two blinded experimental sessions spaced three to five weeks apart. During experimental sessions, participants receive an initial dose of 125 mg of MDMA HCl, or placebo, followed by a dose of 62.5 mg of MDMA HCl, or placebo. During this treatment period, participants will also undergo non-drug preparatory psychotherapy sessions and non-drug integrative sessions.

The study will test whether MDMA-assisted therapy can be safely given to participants. Researchers will compare PTSD symptoms in the MDMA-assisted therapy group to the placebo with therapy group to see if there is a reduction in symptoms after the treatment period.

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Detailed Description

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This randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study assessed the safety and effectiveness of MDMA-assisted therapy among people with chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD, including veterans. Participants were assigned to receive either MDMA-assisted therapy or placebo with therapy during two blinded experimental sessions spaced three to five weeks apart during Stage 1 of the study. During these experimental sessions, participants received an initial dose of 125 mg of MDMA HCl followed by a supplemental dose of 62.5 mg of MDMA HCl, or they received initial and supplemental doses of inactive placebo. Psychotherapists and independent raters were blinded to participants' treatment conditions. This treatment period also consisted of non-drug preparatory therapy sessions and non-drug integration therapy sessions.

During Stage 2 of the study, the blind was broken and participants assigned to receive MDMA-assisted therapy in Stage 1 underwent a third open-label experimental session of MDMA-assisted therapy. Participants assigned placebo with therapy during Stage 1 who chose to enroll in Stage 2 underwent three open-label sessions of MDMA-assisted therapy. Outcome measures were administered two months after the second experimental session in Stage 1 and four to six weeks after the second MDMA-assisted therapy session in Stage 2. A final data-collection session took place at two months after the third experimental session.

The primary objective of the study was to measure change in PTSD symptoms via CAPS-IV across the study in participants receiving MDMA-assisted therapy versus placebo with therapy.

Conditions

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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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MDMA-assisted therapy (125 mg)

Participants will receive an initial dose of 125 mg midomafetamine HCl orally followed 2 to 2.5 hours later by a second dose of 62.5 mg midomafetamine HCl during two 8-hour long blinded therapy sessions.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Midomafetamine HCl

Intervention Type DRUG

125 mg of midomafetamine HCl followed by a supplemental half-dose of 62.5 mg of midomafetamine HCl

Therapy

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Non-directive therapy provided by a team of two co-therapists

Placebo with therapy

Participants will receive an initial dose of 125 mg placebo orally followed 2 to 2.5 hours later by a second dose of 62.5 mg placebo during two 8-hour long blinded therapy sessions.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Lactose placebo pill

Intervention Type DRUG

125 mg followed by a supplemental half-dose of 62.5 mg

Therapy

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Non-directive therapy provided by a team of two co-therapists

Interventions

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Midomafetamine HCl

125 mg of midomafetamine HCl followed by a supplemental half-dose of 62.5 mg of midomafetamine HCl

Intervention Type DRUG

Lactose placebo pill

125 mg followed by a supplemental half-dose of 62.5 mg

Intervention Type DRUG

Therapy

Non-directive therapy provided by a team of two co-therapists

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

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MDMA HCl 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine MDMA Midomafetamine Placebo

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Have current PTSD (within the past 6 months) in response to crime victimization, including childhood sexual or physical abuse, or meet criteria for PTSD in response to combat;
* Have a CAPS score showing moderate to severe PTSD symptoms;
* They must either:

1. Have had at least one unsuccessful attempt at treatment for PTSD with a SSRI and psychotherapy;
2. Be a veteran with PTSD symptoms that have endured for no less than one year but no more than five years
* Be at least 18 years old;
* Must be generally healthy;
* Willing to remain overnight at the study site;
* Agree to have transportation home the morning after experimental sessions;
* Are willing to be contacted via telephone for all necessary telephone contacts;
* Must have a negative pregnancy test if able to bear children and agree to use an effective form of birth control;
* Are proficient in reading English;

Exclusion Criteria

* Are pregnant or nursing, or are able to bear children and are not practicing an effective means of birth control;
* Weigh less than 50 kg or more than 105 kg;
* Are unable to give adequate informed consent;
* Prior use of "Ecstasy" (illicit drug preparations purported to contain MDMA) more than 5 times or at any time within the previous 6 months;
* Have a history of certain excluded medical disorders.

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

70 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No