MDMA‐assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
Abstract Background Post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder resulting from exposure to traumatic events, manifesting in various debilitating symptoms. Despite available treatments, many individuals experience inadequate response or significant side effects. Previous reviews...
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| Format: | Article |
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Wiley
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Neuropsychopharmacology Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/npr2.12485 |
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| author | Ghada Shahrour Kainat Sohail Safa Elrais Muhammad Hamza Khan Javeria Javeid Khubaib Samdani Hajra Mansoor Syed Izhar Hussain Dhruvikumari Sharma Muhammad Ehsan Abdulqadir J. Nashwan |
| author_facet | Ghada Shahrour Kainat Sohail Safa Elrais Muhammad Hamza Khan Javeria Javeid Khubaib Samdani Hajra Mansoor Syed Izhar Hussain Dhruvikumari Sharma Muhammad Ehsan Abdulqadir J. Nashwan |
| author_sort | Ghada Shahrour |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder resulting from exposure to traumatic events, manifesting in various debilitating symptoms. Despite available treatments, many individuals experience inadequate response or significant side effects. Previous reviews suggest promising outcomes with MDMA‐assisted psychotherapy (MDMA‐AT), but limitations prompt the need for a comprehensive evaluation. Methods We searched various online databases and registries such as MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and ClinicalTrials.gov to retrieve RCTs that fit our inclusion criteria. We performed meta‐analyses using Review Manager by applying a random‐effects model. Dichotomous and continuous outcomes were pooled as risk ratios (RR) and standard mean difference (SMD), respectively. Results Nine studies with a total of 297 participants with PTSD were included in our meta‐analysis. The control group consisted of inactive doses of MDMA (25–40 mg) or placebo. Our meta‐analysis showed that MDMA‐AT led to a significant reduction in the Clinician‐Administered PTSD Scale for DSM‐5 (CAPS‐5) severity scores as compared to the control group (SMD −1.10, 95% CI: −1.62 to −0.59). More patients in the MDMA‐AT group exhibited significant response (RR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.22, 2.08) and remission (RR 2.32, 95% CI: 1.47 to 3.66) as compared to patients in the control group. There was no significant difference regarding the incidence of ≥1 treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAE), ≥1 severe TEAE, and suicidal ideation between the two groups. Conclusion MDMA‐AT demonstrates significant efficacy in improving PTSD symptoms, enhancing both response and remission rates in individuals with chronic, treatment‐resistant PTSD, while maintaining a favorable safety profile. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-63ffc06682d84990b4cd2c9340c9dfc7 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2574-173X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Neuropsychopharmacology Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-63ffc06682d84990b4cd2c9340c9dfc72025-08-20T01:57:27ZengWileyNeuropsychopharmacology Reports2574-173X2024-12-0144467268110.1002/npr2.12485MDMA‐assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)Ghada Shahrour0Kainat Sohail1Safa Elrais2Muhammad Hamza Khan3Javeria Javeid4Khubaib Samdani5Hajra Mansoor6Syed Izhar Hussain7Dhruvikumari Sharma8Muhammad Ehsan9Abdulqadir J. Nashwan10Department of Community and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing Jordan University of Science and Technology Irbid JordanDepartment of Psychiatry Jinnah Sindh Medical University Karachi PakistanDepartment of Psychiatry University of Tripoli Tripoli LibyaDepartment of Psychiatry Karachi Medical and Dental College Karachi PakistanDepartment of Psychiatry Allama Iqbal Medical College Lahore PakistanDepartment of Psychiatry Rawalpindi Medical College Rawalpindi PakistanDepartment of Psychiatry CMH Lahore Medical College Lahore PakistanDepartment of Psychiatry Khyber Medical University Peshawar PakistanAvalon University School of Medicine Willemstad CuraçaoDepartment of Psychiatry King Edward Medical University Lahore PakistanHamad Medical Corporation Doha QatarAbstract Background Post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder resulting from exposure to traumatic events, manifesting in various debilitating symptoms. Despite available treatments, many individuals experience inadequate response or significant side effects. Previous reviews suggest promising outcomes with MDMA‐assisted psychotherapy (MDMA‐AT), but limitations prompt the need for a comprehensive evaluation. Methods We searched various online databases and registries such as MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and ClinicalTrials.gov to retrieve RCTs that fit our inclusion criteria. We performed meta‐analyses using Review Manager by applying a random‐effects model. Dichotomous and continuous outcomes were pooled as risk ratios (RR) and standard mean difference (SMD), respectively. Results Nine studies with a total of 297 participants with PTSD were included in our meta‐analysis. The control group consisted of inactive doses of MDMA (25–40 mg) or placebo. Our meta‐analysis showed that MDMA‐AT led to a significant reduction in the Clinician‐Administered PTSD Scale for DSM‐5 (CAPS‐5) severity scores as compared to the control group (SMD −1.10, 95% CI: −1.62 to −0.59). More patients in the MDMA‐AT group exhibited significant response (RR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.22, 2.08) and remission (RR 2.32, 95% CI: 1.47 to 3.66) as compared to patients in the control group. There was no significant difference regarding the incidence of ≥1 treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAE), ≥1 severe TEAE, and suicidal ideation between the two groups. Conclusion MDMA‐AT demonstrates significant efficacy in improving PTSD symptoms, enhancing both response and remission rates in individuals with chronic, treatment‐resistant PTSD, while maintaining a favorable safety profile.https://doi.org/10.1002/npr2.12485MDMA‐ATmeta‐analysispost‐traumatic stress disorderRCTs |
| spellingShingle | Ghada Shahrour Kainat Sohail Safa Elrais Muhammad Hamza Khan Javeria Javeid Khubaib Samdani Hajra Mansoor Syed Izhar Hussain Dhruvikumari Sharma Muhammad Ehsan Abdulqadir J. Nashwan MDMA‐assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) Neuropsychopharmacology Reports MDMA‐AT meta‐analysis post‐traumatic stress disorder RCTs |
| title | MDMA‐assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) |
| title_full | MDMA‐assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) |
| title_fullStr | MDMA‐assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) |
| title_full_unstemmed | MDMA‐assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) |
| title_short | MDMA‐assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) |
| title_sort | mdma assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of ptsd a systematic review and meta analysis of randomized controlled trials rcts |
| topic | MDMA‐AT meta‐analysis post‐traumatic stress disorder RCTs |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/npr2.12485 |
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