Perceived key change phenomena of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of severe PTSD: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of clinical integration sessions

Frontiers in Psychiatry

Psychiatry

Eric Vermetten¹  Jasper Lucas²  Macha Godes³ 

[1] Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands;Institute of Psychology, Social Science Department, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands;Institute of Psychology, Social Science Department, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands;

关键词: PTSD;    interpretative phenomenological analyses;    psychotherapy;    MDMA;    MDMA-assisted psychotherapy;    qualitative research;    psychedelics;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyt.2023.957824

 received in 2022-05-31, accepted in 2023-05-10,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent psychiatric condition that significantly impacts daily functioning in patients but lacks adequate treatment options. 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) as an adjunct to psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD has been studied increasingly for the last two decades and has shown promising results through quantitative data. However, few qualitative studies have been conducted to investigate patients’ experiences who participate in these trials. This study intends to complement and clarify the quantitative findings resulting from a Phase-II clinical trial for assessing the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD by using a qualitative approach based on available material of 4 recorded and transcripted integrative sessions per participant. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was conducted for 7 participants who met criteria for severe PTSD to develop a deeper understanding of the treatment and its efficacy. Analysis results provided real-life statements from participants that reflect perceived mechanisms of change and showed to what extent their proposed working mechanisms integrate into daily life.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
Copyright © 2023 Godes, Lucas and Vermetten.