This study is being conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) to explore whether adding psychedelic coaching can enhance the effects of ketamine or esketamine maintenance treatment in individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The investigators are currently enrolling participants who are receiving ongoing maintenance intravenous (IV) ketamine or intranasal esketamine (Spravato) treatment at the MGH Ketamine Clinic. Participation in the study will involve adding coaching sessions to your existing ketamine maintenance treatment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
20
Participation in the study will involve adding coaching sessions to existing ketamine maintenance treatment for patients receiving ongoing maintenance IV ketamine or IN esketamine treatment at MGH's Ketamine Clinic. If participants are eligible, they will be invited to participate in 12 weekly, 50-minute one-on-one coaching sessions conducted via Zoom. These sessions are designed to help participants process and integrate their experiences with ketamine treatment, to support personal growth and symptom improvement. The coaching is non-clinical, collaborative, and participant-directed, and is provided by trained psychedelic integration coaches from the Fireside Project. Throughout the 3-month coaching period and again at a 1-month follow-up, participants will complete monthly study visits that include brief remote assessments with a study clinician, along with additional self-report questionnaires. These visits will take approximately 1 to 2 hours, depending on the time point.
Massachusetts General Hospital's Depression and Clinical Research program
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
RECRUITINGMassachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
RECRUITINGTo assess the feasibility of adjunctive coaching during ketamine/esketamine maintenance treatment.
We will assess the feasibility of coaching, as indexed by at least 80% of participants (16 of 20 participants) completing 10 out of 12 coaching sessions. The investigators will also review all assessment procedures and calculate the percentage of completed assessments at each time point. In addition, the investigators will compute the number of participants for whom an AE occurred, along with their rate of occurrence, severity, and relationship to the study procedures.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at Month 3
To assess the acceptability of adjunctive coaching during ketamine/esketamine maintenance treatment.
Acceptability will be assessed by calculating the mean and standard deviation of participant-reported net-promoter scores, which will range from 0 (would not recommend) to 10 (would definitely recommend). Additional acceptability metrics will include qualitative and quantitative responses to the post-coaching survey and the end-of-coaching survey.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at Month 3
To explore whether coaching is associated with a reduction in the frequency of ketamine/esketamine maintenance treatments (measured in days) over the 3-month study period and 1-month follow-up.
Coaching will be associated with a reduction in the frequency of ketamine maintenance treatments (measured in days) assessed through chart review of patients' 3 treatments prior to enrollment in study and following completion of study.
Time frame: Baseline (3 ketamine treatments prior to enrollment), through the intervention (3 months after enrollment), and follow-up (1 month post-intervention)
To explore whether coaching is associated with a change in dose (measured in mg) and/or need for anxiolytic medications prior to ketamine/esketamine treatment.
Coaching will be associated with a reduction in the dose and/or need for anxiolytic medications (measured in mg) prior to ketamine/esketamine treatment, assessed through chart review of patients' 3 treatments prior to enrollment in study and following completion of study.
Time frame: Baseline (3 ketamine treatments prior to enrollment), through the intervention (3 months after enrollment), and follow-up (1 month post-intervention)
To explore whether adjunctive coaching is associated with a change in depressive symptoms, as measured by the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score.
Coaching will be associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms (i.e., MADRS total scores) at Month 1, Month 2, and Month 3.
Time frame: Screening, Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 1-Month Post Study Completion
To explore whether coaching is associated with improvements in International Trauma Questionaire (ITQ) scores.
Coaching will lead to improvements in secondary outcomes, including the as International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) assessed at Screening, Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 1-Month Post Study Completion.
Time frame: Screening, Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 1-Month Post Study Completion
To explore whether coaching is associated with improvements in 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5) scores.
Coaching will lead to improvements in secondary outcomes, including the as 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5) assessed at Screening, Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 1-Month Post Study Completion.
Time frame: Screening, Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 1-Month Post Study Completion
To explore whether coaching is associated with improvements in Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - Self Report (QIDS-SR) scores.
Coaching will lead to improvements in secondary outcomes, including the as Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - Self Report (QIDS-SR) assessed at Screening, Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 1-Month Post Study Completion.
Time frame: Screening, Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 1-Month Post Study Completion
To explore whether coaching is associated with improvements in Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29) scores.
Coaching will lead to improvements in secondary outcomes, including the as Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29) assessed at Screening, Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 1-Month Post Study Completion.
Time frame: Screening, Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 1-Month Post Study Completion
To explore whether coaching is associated with improvements in Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores.
Coaching will lead to improvements in secondary outcomes, including the as Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) assessed at Screening, Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 1-Month Post Study Completion.
Time frame: Screening, Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 1-Month Post Study Completion
To explore whether coaching is associated with improvements in Self-Compassion Scale - Short Form (SCS-SF) scores.
Coaching will lead to improvements in secondary outcomes, including the as Self-Compassion Scale - Short Form (SCS-SF) assessed at Screening, Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 1-Month Post Study Completion.
Time frame: Screening, Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and 1-Month Post Study Completion
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