MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Mixed-Methods Case Study of a Participant of Color From an Open-Label Trial
Ching, T. H., Doblin, R., Emerson, A., Kisicki, M. D., Reed, S., Wang, J. B., Williams, M. T., Yazar-Klosinski, B.
This case study (2022), documented improvements in PTSD symptoms and carried out an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of the effects and mechanisms of a participant of colour from an open-label trial of MDMA-assisted therapy (AT) for PTSD to provide a culturally-informed lens of symptoms recovery. Recommendations for attuning to culturally relevant material during MDMA-AT were provided.
Abstract
MDMA (±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine)-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) was shown in previous clinical trials to have promising efficacy and safety for alleviating treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, due to low ethnoracial diversity, the question remains as to whether ethnoracial minority participants would benefit similarly. Thus, a mixed-methods case study was conducted on a participant of colour from an open-label trial of MDMA-AT for PTSD to provide a culturally-informed lens on symptom recovery with this treatment approach. An additional aim was to elucidate mechanisms of change underlying this treatment for the participant. A case profile was provided, documenting quantitative improvement in PTSD symptoms. This was followed by an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of effects and mechanisms of action for this participant, based on integration session transcripts. Results of IPA indicated recurrent themes related to psychological mechanisms of symptom change, reduced PTSD symptoms, and additional effects (positive and negative) beyond PTSD symptom reduction. These themes were discussed and recommendations for attuning to culturally relevant material during MDMA-AT were provided.