Culturally informed research design issues in a study for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder
Monnica T. Williams, Sara Reed, Ritika Aggarwal
Journal of Psychedelic Studies July 30, 2019 DOI: 10.1556/2054.2019.016 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Phase 2 open-label multisite study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | People of color with posttraumatic stress disorder |
| Intervention | MDMA-assisted psychotherapy |
| Topics | MDMA Psychedelic-assisted therapy PTSD |
| Keywords | Psychotherapist Cultural humility Outreach Ethnic group Informed consent Clinical psychology Cultural competence |
| Citations | 87 |
| Key points | Providing culturally informed care to people of color in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy requires assessment of racial trauma, culturally adapted informed consent, diverse treatment teams, validation of racial oppression, and cultural congruence of session elements, alongside community outreach and addressing institutional resistance. |
Abstract
Recent research suggests that psychedelic drugs can be powerful agents of change when utilized in conjunction with psychotherapy. Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy has been studied as a means of helping people overcome posttraumatic stress disorder, believed to work by reducing fear of traumatic memories and increasing feelings of trust and compassion toward others, without inhibiting access to difficult emotions. However, research studies for psychedelic psychotherapies have largely excluded people of color, leaving important questions unaddressed for these populations. At the University of Connecticut, we participated as a study site in a MAPS-sponsored, FDA-reviewed Phase 2 open-label multisite study, with a focus on providing culturally informed care to people of color. We discuss the development of a study site focused on the ethnic minority trauma experience, including assessment of racial trauma, design of informed consent documents to improve understanding and acceptability to people of color, diversification of the treatment team, ongoing training for team members, validation of participant experiences of racial oppression at a cultural and individual level, examination of the setting and music used during sessions for cultural congruence, training for the independent rater pool, community outreach, and institutional resistance. We also discuss next steps in ensuring that access to culturally informed care is prioritized as MDMA and other psychedelics move into late phase trials, including the importance of diverse sites and training focused on therapy providers of color.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on MDMA and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.