Actively Recruiting

Phase 2
Age: 18Years +
All Genders
NCT05584826

MDMA-assisted Therapy for Adjustment Disorder (AD) in Dyads of Patients With Cancer and a Concerned Significant Other

Led by Sunstone Medical · Updated on 2026-05-04

20

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

316 weeks

Total Duration

On this page

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess feasibility, tolerability and preliminary effectiveness of MDMA-assisted therapy for adjustment disorder (AD) in 10 dyads of patients with cancer and a concerned significant other (CSO) (20 participants total). Participants will undergo an 8-week treatment period which will include two doses of MDMA, two Preparatory Sessions and four Integrative Sessions of non-drug therapy.

CONDITIONS

Official Title

MDMA-assisted Therapy for Adjustment Disorder (AD) in Dyads of Patients With Cancer and a Concerned Significant Other

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years +
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Are at least 18 years old
  • Are considered important to the patient's well-being (e.g., spouse or close family member)
  • Meet DSM-5 criteria for current adjustment disorder without other mental disorders or normal bereavement
  • Score 47.5 or higher on the ADNM-2020 diagnostic scale for adjustment disorder
  • Are able to swallow pills
  • Agree to be driven home after experimental sessions and not drive until deemed safe
  • If able to become pregnant, have a negative pregnancy test before sessions and agree to use effective birth control
  • Agree to inform investigators within 48 hours of any medical conditions or procedures
  • Are proficient in speaking and reading English
  • Agree to have all clinic visits recorded by audio and video
  • Agree to lifestyle modifications including fasting and medication restrictions before sessions
  • May have well-controlled hypertension if cardiovascular disease is ruled out
  • May have treated asymptomatic Hepatitis C
  • May have alcohol or substance use disorder if not in withdrawal and with a plan to reduce use
  • May have stable Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with physician approval
  • May have hypothyroidism if on stable thyroid medication
  • May have glaucoma with ophthalmologist approval
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiation therapy within 4 weeks impairing physical functioning
  • Weigh less than 48 kg
  • Condition impairing oral intake or digestive absorption
  • Unable to give informed consent
  • Significant suicide risk with intent and plan in past 6 months or at screening
  • Any current problem interfering with participation as judged by investigators
  • Present serious risk to others
  • History or current primary psychotic disorder, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, bipolar type 1, or dissociative identity disorder
  • Require ongoing psychiatric medication except as allowed
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy within past 12 weeks
  • Used Ecstasy (MDMA) more than 10 times in last 10 years or within 6 months
  • History of ventricular arrhythmia except occasional PVCs without ischemic disease
  • Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or other accessory pathway not ablated
  • History of arrhythmia within 12 months unless successfully treated and stable
  • Significant hematological, endocrine, cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, immunocompromising, neurological disease, or seizure disorder
  • Uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg on 3 occasions)
  • Heart rate over 100 bpm on 3 occasions
  • Marked prolonged QT/QTc interval as defined
  • Additional risk factors for Torsade de pointes
  • Use of medications prolonging QT/QTc interval during sessions
  • Symptomatic liver disease
  • History of hyponatremia or hyperthermia
  • Pregnant, nursing, or able to become pregnant without effective birth control
  • Hypersensitivity to any ingredient of the investigational product

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility

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Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

Sunstone Medical, PC

Rockville, Maryland, United States, 20850

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

S

Study Contact

CONTACT

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

NONE

Allocation

NA

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Purpose

TREATMENT

Number of Arms

1

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