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The Effect of Ketamine-Assisted Group Therapy on Treatment-Resistant Mental Health Conditions in Firefighters: A Prospective Observational Case Series.

Vivian Wl Tsang, Michelle Cq Lin, Cassandra M Choles, Pamela Kryskow

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine June 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003352 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational case series Qualitative Case report Peer reviewed
Population Firefighters with mental health diagnoses
Intervention Ketamine-assisted group therapy
Duration 12-week treatment plan, 6-month follow-up
Topics Depression PTSD Esketamine Ketamine
Keywords Group therapy Pharmacological treatments Psychedelic-assisted therapies Work rehabilitation Mental-health-treatment First-responders Psychedelic-therapy Trauma-recovery Occupational-wellness
Citations 4
Key findings Statistically and clinically significant improvements to posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety diagnoses were detected after the Roots to Thrive Ketamine-Assisted Group Therapy program, with results retained six months post treatment.

Abstract

Firefighters display elevated risk for diagnoses of mental health illnesses. Psychedelic-assisted therapies show promise in the treatment of clinically challenging conditions. This observational case series analyzed data from firefighters with mental health diagnoses who participated in a 12-week ketamine-assisted group therapy treatment plan. Questionnaire scores (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist -5, Brief Inventory of Psychosocial Functioning ) collected throughout the program were scored and statistically analyzed for changes. Qualitative data were analyzed through thematic analysis. Significant decreases with large effect sizes were detected in Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment-7 and The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-5 scores after completion in the 12-week treatment plan, which persisted 6 months later. Participants noted it was beneficial being in a cohort with fellow firefighters. Statistically and clinically significant improvements to posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety diagnoses were detected in the cohort of firefighters after the Roots to Thrive Ketamine-Assisted Group Therapy program, with results retained six months post treatment.

Comparable studies

Other case reports and case series on ketamine for PTSD, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Effects of intranasal (S)-ketamine on Veterans with co-morbid treatment-resistant depression and PTSD: A retrospective case series Veterans with co-morbid depression and PTSD 2022 Retrospective case series n = 35
Repeated oral esketamine in patients with treatment resistant depression and comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder Patients with treatment-resistant depression and comorbid PTSD 2023 Case series n = 5
Combined Effects of Nasal Ketamine and Trauma-Focused Psychotherapy in Treatment-Resistant Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Case Series. Individuals with chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD 2024 Pilot case series n = 3
Dramatic and persistent relief from chronic suicidality, emotional disturbances, and trauma symptomatology with oral ketamine and memantine in refractory depression with complex PTSD A 27-year-old woman with chronic recurrent depressive disorder and complex... 2024 Case report n = 1
Case Report: Successful management of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures with intranasal esketamine. Patient with treatment-resistant depression and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures 2025 Case report n = 1

Citations in the library

Cited by 5

Cites 5

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Depression PTSD Esketamine Ketamine Anxiety Psychedelic-assisted therapy

By condition and practice

Ketamine for PTSD Ketamine for depression