Using ketamine or esketamine with psychotherapy to manage depression in adults

Forty-seven studies evaluating ketamine or esketamine combined with psychotherapy for depression were identified.

• Among the 47 studies, 4 (9%) were randomized controlled trials and 27 (57%) were observational or retrospective studies.
• The studies were categorized into Ketamine/Esketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) and Ketamine/Esketamine Combined with Psychotherapy (KCP), with 23 (49%) falling into the KAP category.
• KAP studies may be beneficial for depression, but they are limited by the lack of randomized controlled trials and comparison groups.
• In contrast, higher quality data supporting the KCP model suggests potential benefits when ketamine is combined with cognitive behavioral therapy.
• Further research is needed with accurate reporting and clearer descriptions of psychotherapy models.

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