HOPE: A Pilot Study of Psilocybin Enhanced Group Psychotherapy in Patients With Cancer

Lewis, Benjamin R.; Garland, Eric L.; Byrne, Kevin; Durns, Tyler; Hendrick, John; Beck, Anna; Thielking, Paul

doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.06.006

Cited by 17 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Several previous studies have reported similar outcomes, demonstrating significant reductions in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and existential distress following psilocybin-assisted therapy. For example, the results of Agin-Liebes et al [ 22 ] in 2020 align with those of previous research by Lewis et al [ 27 ] and Malone et al [ 28 ] in 2018, which also documented sustained improvements in psychological well-being and quality of life among cancer patients treated with psilocybin. Similarly, the study by Agrawal et al [ 29 ] reported positive trends toward enhanced mood and reduced anxiety following psilocybin administration, further corroborating the therapeutic potential of this intervention.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Investigating the therapeutic efficacy of psilocybin in advanced cancer patients: A comprehensive review and meta-analysis

Bader,

Farraj,

Maghnam

et al. 2024

World J Clin Oncol

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BACKGROUND Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain species of mushrooms, is known for its effects on anxiety and depression. It has recently gained increasing interest for its potential therapeutic effects, particularly in patients with advanced cancer. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the effects of psilocybin on adult patients with advanced cancer. AIM To investigate the therapeutic effect of psilocybin in patients with advanced cancer. METHODS A comprehensive search of electronic databases was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar for articles published up to February 2023. The reference lists of the included studies were also searched to retrieve possible additional studies. RESULTS A total of 7 studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review, comprising 132 participants. The results revealed significant improvements in quality of life, pain control, and anxiety relief following psilocybin-assisted therapy, specifically results on anxiety relief. Pooled effect sizes indicated statistically significant reductions in symptoms of anxiety at both 4 to 4.5 months [35.15 (95%CI: 32.28-38.01)] and 6 to 6.5 months [33.06 (95%CI: 28.73-37.40)]. Post-administration compared to baseline assessments (P < 0.05). Additionally, patients reported sustained improvements in psychological well-being and existential distress following psilocybin therapy. CONCLUSION The findings provided compelling evidence for the potential benefits of psilocybin-assisted therapy in improving quality of life, pain control, and anxiety relief in patients with advanced cancer.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Investigating the therapeutic efficacy of psilocybin in advanced cancer patients: A comprehensive review and meta-analysis

Bader,

Farraj,

Maghnam

et al. 2024

World J Clin Oncol

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“…While this study was not designed to test efficacy we demonstrated a clinically substantial reduction in HAM-D scores from baseline to the 2-week primary endpoint (21.5 to 10.09, F1,9.00=33.81, p<0.001, d=1.71) and 26-week endpoint (21.5 to 14.83, F1,6.49=15.58, p=0.006, d=1.28). We also demonstrated significant improvement in measures of quality of life and well-being (FACIT-Sp) 27 . We also observed significant correlation between scores on the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ-30)-a 30-item questionnaire designed to assess experiential aspects of the psilocybin experience-and HAM-D scores at the 2-week primary outcome timepoint.…”

mentioning

confidence: 74%

“…Furthermore, there are reasons to hypothesize synergistic effects between the psilocybin experience and group process which might be uniquely helpful for symptoms of depression. Our research group has completed a 12-person pilot study on the safety and feasibility of group-format PAT (HOPE: a pilot study of psilocybin-enhanced group psychotherapy in patients with cancer) 27,28 . This study is the first modern study to employ a full group format for this intervention.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Group Format Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy: Commentary on the HOPE trial (HOPE: a pilot study of psilocybin-enhanced group psychotherapy in patients with cancer)

R. Lewis,

Byrne,

Beck

2022

J Anesthesiol & Pain Therapy

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Depression and depressive symptoms are an all too common bedfellow for many cancer patients, adding to an already daunting array of symptoms requiring palliation [1][2][3][4] . Without successful treatment, depression significantly increases mortality rates 5,6 , sabotages quality of life 7 , reduces cancer treatment compliance 8 , and multiplies the rates of completed suicide rates four-fold 9,10 . Not surprisingly, caregivers for depressed cancer patients experience a degree of depression and hopelessness strongly correlated with these same clinical features in patients 11 .Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) has emerged in recent years as a safe, feasible, and highly effective treatment option for refractory depression [16][17][18][19][20] . Affected cancer patients have duly been the target of several randomized controlled trials on PAT to date [21][22][23][24] Lewis BR, Byrne K, Beck A. Group Format Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy: Commentary on the HOPE trial (HOPE: a pilot study of psilocybin-enhanced group psychotherapy in patients with cancer).

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“…High Risk. Sloshower et al 23 Lewis et al 24 Schneier et al 25 Shnayder et al 26 Anderson et al 27 Carhart-Harris et al 28 Bogenshutz et al 29 Johnson et al 30 Low Risk.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Tolerability and Safety of Psilocybin in Psychiatric and Substance-Dependence Conditions: A Systematic Review

Kaminski,

Reinert

2023

Ann Pharmacother

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Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to determine the tolerability and safety of psilocybin in a variety of psychiatric and substance-dependence conditions. Data sources: A systematic review was conducted using Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Central, and Web of Science through September 2023 using the following terminology: “psilocybin” AND “mental-disease” OR “substance-dependence” AND “disease-therapy,” in addition to other synonymous key words. Study selection and data extraction: Literature reporting acute effects and safety data following the use of psilocybin as the pharmacologic intervention in a clinical trial in adult patients with a psychiatric or substance-dependence condition were included. Following the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 studies were ultimately included in this review. Data synthesis: The most common treatment-emergent adverse effects reported were transient nausea and headache. Transient anxiety was reported as a frequent psychiatric effect, and 3 participants received a benzodiazepine for refractory anxiety during the psilocybin session. Psilocybin demonstrated modest increases in blood pressure and heart rate, and 1 participant received an antihypertensive for sustained hypertension during the psilocybin session. No cases of psilocybin-induced psychosis or Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder were reported. Relevance to patient care and clinical practice: Treatment resistance remains a concern for psychiatric patients and novel therapies are needed to help alleviate the burden of morbidity and mortality. Psilocybin demonstrates promising acute and long-term safety that may allow for its use in psychiatric or substance-dependence conditions as an alternative to standards of care or in treatment-resistant patients. Conclusions: Psilocybin has demonstrated tolerability and safety in recent literature that has investigated its therapeutic potential in a variety of psychiatric or substance-dependence conditions.

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HOPE: A Pilot Study of Psilocybin Enhanced Group Psychotherapy in Patients With Cancer

Cited by 17 publications

References 29 publications

Investigating the therapeutic efficacy of psilocybin in advanced cancer patients: A comprehensive review and meta-analysis

Investigating the therapeutic efficacy of psilocybin in advanced cancer patients: A comprehensive review and meta-analysis

Group Format Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy: Commentary on the HOPE trial (HOPE: a pilot study of psilocybin-enhanced group psychotherapy in patients with cancer)

The Tolerability and Safety of Psilocybin in Psychiatric and Substance-Dependence Conditions: A Systematic Review

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