Evaluating the attitudes of mental health professionals towards trials of MDMA: a randomised vignette trial
Nick Glozier, Ben Colagiuri, Dean J Wright
BMJ Open November 26, 2022 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-060360 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled vignette study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 94 |
| Population | Psychiatrists, psychologists, and mental health researchers from Australia |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key points | Psychiatrists were less likely to recommend participation in the MDMA-AP trial than in the control pharmacotherapy trial, while psychologists and researchers showed no difference in attitudes. |
Abstract
Objectives To compare attitudes of mental health (MH) professionals towards trials of methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AP), with a neutrally labelled pharmacotherapy trial.Design A randomised controlled vignette study design, with experimenters blinded to group condition.Setting Participants were recruited online via professional societies.Participants Psychiatrists, psychologists and MH researchers from across Australia.Interventions Participants were randomly allocated to read a vignette about a trial of either MDMA-AP or a neutrally labelled pharmacotherapy.Outcomes Comparison of the difference in four attitudes towards MDMA-AP and control: How likely they were to (1) recommend participating, or (2) object to participating in the trial; (3) their predicted efficacy; and (4) concerns about the safety of the trial.Results There were no overall differences between professional’s attitudes towards MDMA-AP (n=51) and the control pharmacotherapy (n=43) trial vignettes. Psychiatrists were less likely to recommend participation in the MDMA-AP than the control trial (d=0.72, p=0.02), but did not differ in other attitudes. Psychologists and researchers did not differ in any attitudes. The correlation between professional experience and both: (1) concern about, and (2) strength of objection to, the trial, was higher for MDMA-AP, than control (d=0.60, p=0.01 and d=0.40, p=0.03, respectively).Conclusions Psychiatrists, but not psychologists or researchers showed more hesitancy in recommending trials of MDMA-AP versus an unknown pharmacotherapy. Experienced MH professionals were more likely to have negative views about MDMA-AP trials than less experienced MH professionals. This may reflect the experience of prior unfulfilled pharmacotherapy innovation or exuberance associated with fewer years of practice. Research into, and implementation of, MDMA-AP may face barriers with certain MH professionals, which will need be addressed if MDMA-AP continues to show promise as an efficacious treatment.Trial registration number The study design was registered with the ANZCTR (ACTRN12620001068954).
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- The prescription of psychedelic therapies in Australia and New Zealand: A brief survey of psychiatrists. Australasian Psychiatry February 13, 2023
- Attitudes toward psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy among Australian mental healthcare providers Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry July 15, 2025
Cites 17
- MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study. Nature Medicine June 1, 2021
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- 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans, firefighters, and police officers: a randomised, double-blind, dose-response, phase 2 clinical trial. The Lancet Psychiatry May 1, 2018
- A randomized, controlled pilot study of MDMA (±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine)-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of resistant, chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Journal of Psychopharmacology October 31, 2012
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and 12 more in the library