Clinical TrialImplementation & Service DeliveryKetamineCompleted

RTT Ketamine-Assisted Psychedelic Therapy: Indigenous Cohort Quality-Improvement Pilot (Roots to Thrive × Snuneymuxw First Nation, 2023)

This unregistered trial (n=10) was a quality-improvement pilot of ketamine-assisted group therapy for mental health in an Indigenous cohort, which reported significant perceived benefits and highlighted the importance of cultural safety.

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Target Enrollment
10 participants
Study Type
interventional
Design
Non-randomized

Detailed Description

This synthetic trial has been added to our database because a psychedelic paper (about a clinical trial) references this trial, but no (live) registration can be found.

The study was a community-based quality-improvement pilot conducted in partnership with the Snuneymuxw First Nation. The intervention consisted of a 12-week programme involving weekly two-hour virtual sessions and three in-person group ketamine sessions administered intramuscularly at doses of 1.0–1.5 mg/kg. Participants also received virtual integration sessions following the ketamine administrations.

The cohort included eight participants in a discrete Indigenous small group and two Elders in mixed groups. Qualitative analysis of interviews and feedback indicated that participants experienced significant benefits, though the study emphasised the necessity of involving Indigenous team members and incorporating traditional healing approaches to ensure cultural safety and effective reconciliation within psychedelic medicine.

Study Arms & Interventions

Ketamine-assisted therapy

experimental

A 12-week program including weekly 2-hour virtual sessions and three in-person group ketamine sessions.

Interventions

  • Ketamine1.25 mg/kg
    via IM• three sessions• 3 doses total

    Dose range 1.0-1.5 mg/kg administered intramuscularly during in-person group sessions at weeks four, six, and eight.

Study Details

Locations

Canada

Related Publications

PaywallindividualPrimary

Indigenous Voices in Psychedelic Therapy: Experiential Learnings from a Community-Based Group Psychedelic Therapy Program

This pilot program (n=8, +2 Elders) explored the effectiveness and safety of group-based therapy augmented by three sessions of ketamine at a psychedelic dose for Indigenous participants in partnership with Roots to Thrive and the Snuneymuxw First Nation. Thematic analysis of qualitative interviews and feedback revealed participant motivations, perceived barriers, program benefits, and psychedelic experiences. Participants emphasized the importance of Indigenous team members, incorporating traditional healing approaches, and fostering authentic relationships between participants and facilitators, highlighting both challenges and significant program benefits. The article underscores the need for reconciliation efforts within and beyond psychedelic therapies.

Published
Journal
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
Authors
Manson, E., Ryding, E., Taylor, W., Peekeekoot, G., Gloeckler, S. G., Allard, P., Johnny, C., Greenway, K. T., Dames, S.