This open-label clinical trial (n=12) aims to assess the feasibility of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) for adults with non-operable gastrointestinal (GI) cancers suffering from existential distress.
Open-label single-group pilot testing feasibility, safety, and tolerability of KAP delivered as standard of care to adults with non-operable GI cancers with existential distress; structured assessments at baseline, during therapy, and follow-up.
Intervention: three ketamine-assisted psychotherapy sessions (IM ketamine starting 0.5 mg/kg with titration to 1.2 mg/kg as needed), administered 2–7 days apart at the HMHI Park City Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Clinic; outcomes include feasibility metrics, safety/tolerability, and prevalence/severity of existential distress.
Three ketamine-assisted psychotherapy sessions (2.5–3 h each), 2–7 days apart; single-group open-label pilot.
Start 0.5 mg/kg IM; titrate up to 1.2 mg/kg as needed; injection into large muscle mass (deltoid, gluteal, thigh).