Novamind Expands Group Therapy Model
Novamind (NM) is piloting a group therapy model for psychedelic sessions and integration sessions in groups of 4-10 people. Both drop-in sessions and multi-week programs will be offered.
Novamind Advances Clinical Pilot for Frontline KAP
Novamind Advances Clinical Pilot for Frontline KAP
nnovative treatment is a candidate to become regular service offering for healthcare workers
TORONTO, ON / February 16, 2022 / Novamind Inc. (CSE: NM | OTCQB: NVMDF | FSE: HN2) (“Novamind” or the “Company”), a leading mental health company specialized in psychedelic medicine, is pleased to update shareholders on a clinical pilot investigating the efficacy of group ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for frontline healthcare workers (“Frontline KAP”). With the final cohort of participants expected to begin treatment in March 2022, data analysis is currently underway and will be published following completion of the clinical pilot.
Frontline KAP represents a unique opportunity for Novamind to scale an innovative research pilot into a novel treatment program and make it accessible at all Novamind clinics. The pilot launched in July 2021, in partnership with Colorado-based Wholeness Center, to address pandemic-related stress and trauma in frontline healthcare workers. Novamind’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Reid Robison, and Wholeness Center’s Dr. Scott Shannon designed a six-session KAP protocol delivered in a group setting. A cohort of 40 participants are enrolled in the pilot across research sites in Utah and Colorado.
“Frontline KAP is an example of real-time, evidence-based innovation that leverages Novamind’s clinical and research expertise to bring new treatments to patient groups in need” said Yaron Conforti, CEO and Director, Novamind. “The risk of burnout in healthcare professions is strikingly high, particularly during the pandemic. We designed a protocol addressing an unmet need for healthcare workers, we’re completing the clinical pilot at our research sites, and we anticipate that Frontline KAP will be an accessible treatment available at all Novamind clinics.”
Ketamine has demonstrated efficacy for rapid relief from symptoms of depression, while the group setting provides a platform for processing trauma with peers, more effectively building community and reducing feelings of isolation compared to individual treatment. Frontline KAP involves a ratio of two therapists to four patients per cohort, greatly reducing the total number of therapist hours when compared to traditional one-on-one treatment, which increases the treatment’s affordability and enables Novamind to serve a larger patient population.
“Frontline KAP has been incredibly rewarding and meaningful for everyone involved as we’ve witnessed first-hand the healing potential of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy in a group setting that uses the power of social connection,” said Dr. Robison.
He continued, “Interim data from the pilot shows depression and anxiety scores trending down, and resilience scores going up. Many participants report having breakthroughs when assisted by the ketamine treatments, and that’s further enhanced by processing the experiences in a group setting with peers. We’re looking forward to completing the pilot and exploring the opportunity to scale access to this innovative treatment at Novamind clinics.”
To learn more about the Frontline KAP clinical pilot, please visit this link.
COMP360 psilocybin study of 89 healthy participants published in Journal of Psychopharmacology
Compass Pathways’ (CMPS) early psilocybin research was published in The Journal of Psychopharmacology this week. The study suggests that both low and high doses of psilocybin are safe to administer in group settings and do not have negative impacts on thought patterns or processing of emotions.
Group therapy cures depression in half of cancer patients!
Open-label study of COMP360 psilocybin therapy for depression in cancer patients demonstrates feasibility of simultaneous psilocybin administration in small groups
On Tuesday, Compass Pathways (CMPS) received a US patent for COMP360, its proprietary formulation of crystalline psilocybin. On Wednesday, the company announced positive findings from an open-label study using the formulation to treat depression in cancer patients.
Thirty patients were administered COMP360 in group therapy sessions of two to four people. Twenty four people experienced at least a 50% reduction in depression symptoms within three weeks of treatment, which was sustained at week eight, and fifteen people were in total remission from depression. The average depression score dropped from 25.9 to just 6.8.
The company notes that the study was not blinded or placebo-controlled, so the findings are subject to expectancy bias, but the results show promise that both COMP360 and group therapy models are effective.
How to bond with strangers
Minnesota Psychedelic Therapy Clinic, Institute for Integrative Therapies, Begins Offering Psychedelic Therapy in a Group Setting
“We have a crisis of loneliness and isolation.” Is group psychedelic therapy the solution?
This week, the Institute for Integrative Therapies (IIT) in Minnesota began offering ketamine-assisted therapy in group settings, and will soon offer group therapy with psilocybin and MDMA too.
Group sessions can provide a powerful healing experience and a sense of connection, plus they’re much cheaper than one-on-one sessions at just $500 per person for a 3-hour experience.
Participants work with a therapist both individually and in group settings to prepare for the experience before laying on a floor mat and tripping in a room full of strangers. Each group has a focus such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, existential crises, grief, end of life distress, and LGBTQ experiences.