Development of an Australian Clinical Practice Guideline on methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted Psychotherapy for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Jul 19, 2025Journal of affective disorders

Australian clinical guideline for MDMA-assisted therapy in post-traumatic stress disorder

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Abstract

MDMA has been rescheduled in Australia for authorized prescribing in treating PTSD.

The Australian Clinical Practice Guideline on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD is being developed.
The Guideline will evaluate the benefits and harms of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy compared to other treatments.
High-quality systematic reviews will inform the Guideline's recommendations.
A multidisciplinary group will consider various factors including patient preferences and the certainty of evidence.
A Companion Guide will be created for individuals with PTSD and their support networks.

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INTRODUCTION: Despite recent clinical and research interest, medical use of psychedelics has not been legalised in most jurisdictions. The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration rescheduled methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in July 2023 to permit authorised prescribing of MDMA for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) outside of the clinical trial setting.

OBJECTIVE: This manuscript describes the development of the Australian Clinical Practice Guideline on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AP) for PTSD.

METHODS: The Guideline will be developed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) process. The Guideline will consider the benefits and harms of MDMA-AP compared to other treatments in people with PTSD. High quality systematic reviews identified via an overview of systematic reviews will be used as index and supplementary reviews. Using the GRADE Evidence-to-Decision framework, the multidisciplinary Guideline Development Group (GDG) will consider treatment benefits and harms, certainty of evidence, patient preferences and values, resources, equity, acceptability and feasibility. The GDG will be supported by a Stakeholder Group, Expert Group, Conflict of Interest Oversight Committee, and Evidence Review Team. The Guideline will be developed using an integrated knowledge translation approach, emphasising the co-production of knowledge through active participation and shared decision-making with end-users.

CONCLUSION: The Guideline will be published on the digital platform MAGICapp and disseminated in peer-reviewed publications, professional conferences and via specific stakeholder groups. A Companion Guide will be developed for people living with PTSD and their carers, family members, and supports.

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Development of an Australian Clinical Practice Guideline on methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted Psychotherapy for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

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