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Relational and Growth Outcomes Following Couples Therapy With MDMA for PTSD.

Anne C Wagner, Rachel E Liebman, Ann T Mithoefer, Michael C Mithoefer, Candice M Monson

Frontiers in Psychiatry 2021 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.702838 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Pilot trial Pilot study Peer reviewed
Sample size 6
Population Romantic dyads where one partner had PTSD
Intervention MDMA psychotherapy sessions
Duration 6-month follow-up
Topics MDMA PTSD
Keywords Interpersonal functioning Post-traumatic growth MDMA Therapy: MDMA MDMA-Assisted Therapy Innovative treatment Comprehensive treatment Pilot treatment PTSD Treatment: PTSD Healing Couples therapy: couples Partners Relational support Psychosocial functioning Strengthening relationships Improved Positive results Holistic recovery
Citations 40
Key findings Combining CBCT for PTSD with MDMA psychotherapy sessions led to sustained improvements in post-traumatic growth, relational support, social intimacy, and reduced conflict for both partners.

Abstract

Healing from trauma occurs in a relational context, and the impacts of traumatic experiences that result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) go beyond the diagnosis itself. To fully understand a treatment for PTSD, understanding its impact on interpersonal, relational, and growth outcomes yields a more fulsome picture of the effects of the treatment. The current paper examines these secondary outcomes of a pilot trial of Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) for PTSD with MDMA. Six romantic dyads, where one partner had PTSD, undertook a course of treatment combining CBCT for PTSD with two MDMA psychotherapy sessions. Outcomes were assessed at mid-treatment, post-treatment, and 3- and 6-month follow-up. Both partners reported improvements in post-traumatic growth, relational support, and social intimacy. Partners reported reduced behavioral accommodation and conflict in the relationship, and patients with PTSD reported improved psychosocial functioning and empathic concern. These improvements were maintained throughout the follow-up period. These findings suggest that CBCT for PTSD with MDMA has significant effect on relational and growth outcomes in this pilot sample. Improvements in these domains is central to a holistic recovery from traumatic experiences, and lends support to the utility of treating PTSD dyadically.

Comparable studies

Other non-randomized and open-label trials on MDMA for PTSD, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Durability of improvement in post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and absence of harmful effects or drug dependency after 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy: a prospective long-term follow-up study. Adults with chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD 2013 Long-term follow-up of a completed trial n = 19
MDMA-facilitated cognitive-behavioural conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: an uncontrolled trial. Couples in which one partner was diagnosed with PTSD 2020 Pilot study n = 6
Culturally informed research design issues in a study for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder People of color with posttraumatic stress disorder 2019 Phase 2 open-label multisite study
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for victims of sexual abuse with severe post-traumatic stress disorder: an open label pilot study in Brazil. Patients with PTSD secondary to sexual abuse 2021 Open-label clinical trial n = 3
Scaling Up: Multisite Open-Label Clinical Trials of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Severe Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Participants with severe PTSD 2021 Open-label multi-site clinical trial n = 37

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