Perceived Benefits of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy beyond Symptom Reduction: Qualitative Follow-Up Study of a Clinical Trial for Individuals with Treatment-Resistant PTSD

ABSTRACT

We present select findings from a long-term follow-up qualitative study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for veterans, firefighters, and police officers suffering from chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted at participants’ one-year follow-up after a recently completed phase 2 clinical trial. Available interviews from 19 of 24 participants were analyzed. This qualitative analysis sought to complement, clarify, and expand upon the quantitative findings obtained from the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-IV) and supported by the Long-Term Follow-Up (LTFU) Questionnaire. Pertinent data from interview transcripts were coded and analyzed using an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) methodological framework. We explore prominent thematic elements from participant accounts to better understand the outcomes experienced in this trial. All participants reported experiencing lasting personal benefits and enhanced quality of life that extend beyond quantifiable symptom reduction. We explore a range of treatment benefits beyond symptom reduction to highlight the utility of qualitative investigations of the process and effects of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. Limitations and challenges encountered in conducting this study are discussed along with recommendations for improved qualitative research protocols in future clinical trials.

KEYWORDS:

• 3
• 4-Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine
• MDMA
• MDMA-assisted psychotherapy
• posttraumatic stress disorder
• PTSD
• qualitative research

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to express their gratitude to Annie and Michael Mithoefer for their work as the study therapists and in conducting LTFU interviews; Ilsa Jerome for aiding in the editing process; Berra Yazar-Klosinski and various others at MAPS for helping coordinate the study; and Rick Doblin for his invaluable advocacy for progress in this field. We would also like to thank MAPS for providing access to the data set.

Disclosure statement

The author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Author WB has worked with the study sponsor as a volunteer and is currently employed as an adherence rater for phase 3 clinical trials. Authors MMW and PP volunteer as night attendants for phase 3 clinical trials.

Notes

1. The Long-Term Follow-Up (LTFU) Qualitative Interview Guide is available upon request to the authors.

2. The finalized codebook is available upon request to the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors thanks the River Styx Foundation for funding support.