This project is an open-label randomized study looking at an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) curriculum vs. an 8-week MBSR curriculum + a group psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy intervention for frontline healthcare providers struggling with symptoms of depression and burnout associated with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Following consenting and enrollment a total of 24 participants will be randomized to receive either an 8-week MBSR curriculum or the same 8-week MBSR curriculum + a group psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy intervention. The group psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy intervention will involve 3 group preparatory sessions (2 hours each), a single 8 hour group psilocybin administration session with a 1:1 therapist to participant ratio (25mg psilocybin dose), and 3 group integration sessions (2 hours each).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
24
Psilocybin is a classic psychedelic of medium duration that is well-tolerated and has a documented safety and efficacy record that makes it uniquely well-suited to the issues that arise in this participant population. Psilocybin has been described as an 'existential medicine' given patient testimonials as to its acute and lasting effects on interpersonal connection, ability to more deeply engage with meaningful activities and relationships, dramatic reductions in fear of death, and a renewed sense of well-being.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a well-established evidence-based mindfulness training program initially developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn that has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and burnout. The 8-week MBSR curriculum provides training in formal meditation practices including body scan techniques, mindfulness meditation, and yoga. Mindfulness can be understood as the non-judgmental acceptance and investigation of present experience, including body sensations, internal mental states, thoughts, emotions, impulses and memories, in order to reduce suffering or distress and to increase well-being.
Huntsman Mental Health Institute
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Efficacy of MBSR + PAP vs. MBSR alone in reducing symptoms of depression, as measured by the QIDS-SR-16
Efficacy will be assessed through mean reduction in QIDS-SR-16 scores at 2-weeks post intervention with between-group comparison. To understand longitudinal effects, the investigators will gather data to 6 months post intervention for both arms. Participants will be screened for eligibility with the PHQ-9 with a cut-off score of ≥ 8 required for enrollment.
Time frame: 6 months
Effect of MBSR + PAP vs. MBSR alone on participant reported symptoms of burnout as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory, MBI-HSS(MP).
Mean change in MBI-HSS(MP) scores from baseline to 2 weeks and 6 months post intervention with between-group comparison.
Time frame: Study enrollment to 2 weeks post completion of intervention as well as 6 months post intervention.
Effect of MBSR+PAP vs. MBSR alone on symptoms of demoralization
Change in scores on the Demoralization II Scale from baseline to 2-weeks post completion of intervention.
Time frame: Study enrollment to 2 weeks post completion of intervention
Effect of MBSR + PAP vs. MBSR alone on symptoms of post-traumatic stress
Change in PCL-5 PTSD Checklist scores from baseline to 2 weeks post intervention
Time frame: Study enrollment to 2 weeks post completion of intervention
Effect of MBSR + PAP vs. MBSR alone on participant reported quality of life.
The change in the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (MQOL) score from baseline to two weeks post-completion of intervention.
Time frame: Study enrollment to 2 weeks post intervention
Effect of MBSR + PAP vs. MBSR alone on measures of connectedness to self, other, and world
The change in score on the Watts' Connectedness Scale (WCS) scale from baseline to two weeks post-¬completion of the intervention.
Time frame: Study enrollment to 2 weeks post intervention
Storyline Health Integrative Assessment
Investigators will deploy the Storyline Integrative Assessment to narrow in on specific feature selection in small cohorts of patients with deep AI phenotyping to identify behavioral phenotype predictors of burnout, which is heterogeneously characterized. This will be administered to both study arms at baseline, at the primary outcome point (2 weeks post intervention on both study arms), and at 6 months post intervention. Investigators will deploy Storyline technology to narrow in on specific feature selection using deep AI phenotyping to identify phenotypical predictors of treatment response to both MBSR as well as MBSR+PAP to better characterize factors that predict response to both interventions, which may inform future research. This will be administered to both study arms at baseline, at the primary outcome point (2 weeks post intervention on both study arms), and at 6 months post intervention.
Time frame: Study enrollment to 2 weeks and 6 months post intervention
State and Trait Mindfulness
Assess the effect of MBSR + PAP vs. MBSR on measures of state and trait mindfulness using the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and the Toronto Mindfulness Scale (TMS).
Time frame: Study enrollment to 2 weeks post intervention.
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