Research
Research provides valuable insights that allow us to continuously innovate and improve our treatments.
Research into the effectiveness of KAP
Continuous innovation
We believe in the importance of keeping our program innovative and continuously improving. That’s why we conduct scientific research alongside our treatments. Research helps us better understand the impact of our approaches and expand their availability. Additionally, we aim to explore how Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) works and identify the individuals for whom it is most effective.
We closely collaborate with Dutch universities and medical centers, such as Erasmus University Rotterdam, UMC Utrecht, and Radboud University Nijmegen. Prof dr. Rutger Engels is the leader of our research team. All studies are reviewed by an independent ethics committee. You may be invited to participate in a study, but participation is always voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.
We share the results of our research through scientific publications, which are also available on our website.
Mechanisms of action in a KAP Treatment
A KAP (Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy) treatment helps improve mental health and personal growth in various ways. That way, it is easier to tackle problems like depression and anxiety at their roots. Below are the key mechanisms of action:
- Deeper Awareness. During a KAP session, you enter a deeper state of consciousness. This helps you better understand your subconscious and address difficult emotions and issues.
- Powerful Learning Experience. The intense experience of a KAP session can provide new insights and learning experiences to better cope with your challenges.
- Purpose and Self-Compassion. During the treatment, you learn what is truly important in your life and develop greater understanding and kindness toward yourself and others.
- Enhanced Learning Ability. After a KAP session, your brain is more receptive to new insights and changes, making therapy even more effective.
- Secure Attachment. The therapist provides support during the session, fostering a sense of safety and helping build healthier relationships.
- Self-Healing Capacity. KAP activates your natural ability to heal. The insights and experiences gained during the sessions help you to make positive changes in your life.
Literature
For those who would like to read more about (scientific) research into KAP, we have placed links below to articles published in professional journals.
This article is a review of the developments of psychedelics – specifically ketamine – treatments for the treatment of mental disorders. In this article we argue for embedding psychedelics in psychotherapeutic treatment programs, provided by BIG-registered professionals.
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This article concerns a systematic literature review that included 36 relevant studies (n=2903) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the difference in treatment effect of racemic ketamine or esketamine in patients with unipolar or bipolar depression.
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Ketamine is a promising treatment for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) with proven rapid effects according to studies, but results vary per patient. A review (meta-analysis) of 79 studies shows that ketamine can be effective even in repeated treatments, even in patients with severe depression.
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Data from clinical practice (n = 235) show that Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), which combines ketamine with psychotherapy, is effective in reducing depression and anxiety, especially in older patients and those with severe symptoms.
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A systematic review and meta-analysis of 24 studies (n = 1877) found that intravenous racemic ketamine is more effective than intranasal esketamine in the treatment of depression, with higher response and remission rates and lower dropout rates.
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Ketamine maintenance therapy shows promise for prolonging antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression, with evidence for efficacy across multiple routes of administration including intravenous, intranasal, and oral. Although serious adverse events appear rare, further research with large-scale, long-term studies is needed to determine the safety and place of this treatment in clinical practice.
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Ketamine and esketamine offer new treatment options for treatment-resistant depression with a rapid onset of action, while questions remain about their safety and place in treatment guidelines. In this article, an international group of experts discusses the current knowledge and provides practical recommendations for their use in clinical practice, with suggestions for future research.
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