To examine the efficacy of Almond Therapy compared to Treatment as Usual when used in addition to an approved version of intranasal esketamine.
The duration of the study is 28 days. Participants enrolled in the Almond Therapy arm will have up 10 in person clinic visits, including the screening visit, participants will receive esketamine on 8 of these visits. There are also 8 remote therapy sessions conducted via telephone or video, and participants will also receive supportive text messages. Participants will have 5 telephone calls from an independent assessor to ask questions about their mental health (MADRS). Participants enrolled in the Treatment as usual will have 10 in-person clinic visits, including the Screening visit, participants will receive intranasal esketamine on 8 of these visits. Participants will continue to receive the therapy that their treating physician felt was appropriate at the time of enrolment in the study. In addition, participants will have 5 telephone calls from an independent assessor to ask questions on their mental health ( MADRS). Participants will receive intranasal esketamine twice-weekly according to the Product Monograph. To ensure that both groups receive approximately equal amounts of esketamine, patients will receive 56mg initially for a maximum of 2 weeks followed by 56mg or 84mg. As per the Product Monograph these will be given for 4 weeks for a total of 8 doses during the 28-day study.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
6
Participants will receive 8 remote therapy sessions conducted via phone or video, Therapy sessions consists of modules selected using a shared decision making process, tailored so that it is personally meaningful to each participant. Participants will also receive supportive text messages on selected days during the 28 day study.
Participants will continue to receive the therapy that their treating physician felt was appropriate at the time of enrolment in the study, These can include cognitive behavioural therapy, supportive psychotherapy or mindfulness, support groups, physical exercise or relaxation.
Intranasal Ketamine (esketamine) - participants will receive a dose of 56 mg for a maximum of 2 weeks, followed by 56 mg or 84 twice a week for a total of 8 doses during the 28 -day study
City Center Pharmacy and Medical Clinic
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Change in the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) from screening to Day 28
The MADRS is a clinician rated 10-item scale where individuals score from 0-6 based on the severity of their symptoms, with higher scores indicative of greater severity
Time frame: Screening, Day 7, 14, 21 and 28
Change in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (PCL-5)
A 20-item self-administered measure that assesses the presence and severity of PTSD symptoms. Participants will be asked to rate how bothered they have been by each itme in the past month on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0=Not at all to 4 = Extremely. The PCL-5 is easily scored by summing all of the items for a total symptom severity score ranging between 0-80. Clinically meaningful PTSD symptoms are present if items are rated as a minimum of 2 = "Moderate" or higher
Time frame: Screening and Day 28
Change in Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
A 9-item self-administered questionnaire to determine the presence and severity of depression which scores each of the 9 DSM-IV criteria as "0" ( not at all), to "3" ( nearly every day).
Time frame: Screening, Day 2, 5, 9, 12,16, ,19, 23, 26 and 28
Change in Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7)
A 7- item self-administered questionnaire to measure the severity of the levels of anxiety. Each item can be score 0-3, giving a total score of 0-21.
Time frame: Screening, Day 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26 and 28
Change in Rosenberg Self-Esteem Questionnaire (RSES)
A 10-item self-administered questionnaire to measure change in self esteem following psychological intervention. Each item scoring from 1-4, and higher scores indicating greater self-esteem
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Time frame: Screening and Day 28
Change in Quality of Life 8 Dimensional Questionnaire (AQoL-8D)
Self administered questionnaire measuring quality of life across 8 domains: independent living, happiness, mental health, coping, relationships, self-worth, pain and senses.
Time frame: Screening and Day 28