Psilocybin-Assisted Group Psychotherapy + Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for Frontline Healthcare Provider COVID-19 Related Depression and Burnout: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of combining psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for reducing symptoms of depression and burnout in frontline healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results Summary
The study found that MBSR combined with psilocybin-assisted therapy led to greater reductions in depressive symptoms and burnout compared to MBSR alone, with no serious adverse events reported. However, the small sample size (25 participants) limits the generalizability of the findings.
Population
Frontline physicians and nurses with symptoms of depression and burnout related to COVID-19 pandemic work.
Effective Dosage
8-week MBSR curriculum (frequency not specified) plus a single 25mg psilocybin dose in the combined group.
Duration
8 weeks, with follow-up assessments at 2 weeks and 6 months post-intervention.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
psilocybin and MBSR | neutral | symptoms of depression and burnout | frontline healthcare providers related to the COVID-19 pandemic | - | evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy | #1 |
8-week MBSR curriculum plus group psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) with 25mg psilocybin | decrease | QIDS score | participants randomized to MBSR+PAP arm | - | larger decrease | #2 |
8-week MBSR curriculum plus group psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) with 25mg psilocybin | decrease | subscales of the MBI-HSS-MP | participants randomized to MBSR+PAP arm | - | significant between-group differences favoring | #3 |
8-week MBSR curriculum plus group psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) with 25mg psilocybin | decrease | DS-II | participants randomized to MBSR+PAP arm | - | significant between-group differences favoring | #4 |
8-week MBSR curriculum plus group psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) with 25mg psilocybin | increase | WCS | participants randomized to MBSR+PAP arm | - | significant between-group differences favoring | #5 |
Group psilocybin-assisted therapy plus MBSR | decrease | depressive symptoms | physicians and nurses | - | associated with clinically significant improvement | #6 |
Group psilocybin-assisted therapy plus MBSR | decrease | symptoms | physicians and nurses | - | greater reduction in symptoms than MBSR alone | #7 |
psilocybin with mindfulness training | decrease | depression and burnout | physicians and nurses | - | may represent a promising treatment | #8 |
OBJECTIVE: This clinical trial sought to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of psilocybin and MBSR for frontline healthcare providers with symptoms of depression and burnout related to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial that enrolled physicians and nurses with frontline clinical work during the COVID-19 pandemic and symptoms of depression and burnout. Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either an 8-week MBSR curriculum alone or an 8-week MBSR curriculum plus group psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) with 25mg psilocybin. Symptoms of depression and burnout were assessed at baseline, and 2-weeks and 6-months post intervention utilizing the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms (QIDS-SR-16) and Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey for Medical Professionals (MBI-HSS-MP), respectively. Secondary outcome measures included the Demoralization Scale (DS-II) and the Watt's Connectedness Scale (WCS). Adverse events and suicidality were assessed through 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: 25 participants were enrolled and randomized. There were 12 study-related AEs recorded that were Grade 1-2 and no serious AEs. There was larger decrease in QIDS score for the MBSR+PAP arm compared to MBSR-only from baseline to 2-weeks post-intervention and significant between-group differences favoring MBSR+PAP on subscales of the MBI-HSS-MP as well as the DS-II and WCS. CONCLUSIONS: Group psilocybin-assisted therapy plus MBSR was associated with clinically significant improvement in depressive symptoms without serious adverse events and with greater reduction in symptoms than MBSR alone. Study findings suggest that integrating psilocybin with mindfulness training may represent a promising treatment for depression and burnout among physicians and nurses.