Psychotherapy for Ketamine's Enhanced Durability in Chronic Neuropathic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

Inclusion criteria

• ≥18 years of age
• Diagnosis of chronic neuropathic pain as determined by a pain specialist with moderate-to-severe neuropathic pain as per ID pain questionnaire, with mean pain scores > 3 on a numeric rating scale (NRS), in the 7 days preceding inclusion
• For participants of childbearing potential, use highly effective or double-barrier methods of contraception. Abstinence is acceptable if it is the preferred and usual lifestyle of the participant
• Capacity to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Patients less than 18 years of age
• Current or lifetime history of schizophrenia, psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or borderline personality disorder
• Known history of hypersensitivity or allergy to Ketamine-HCL
• Current history of dissociative disorders
• Current concomitant use of theophylline or aminophylline
• Current elevated intracranial pressure
• Pregnancy or ongoing breastfeeding in female participants
• Concomitant active substance use in the 6 months preceding enrolment (amphetamines, alcohol, and ketamine)
• Contraindication to receiving Ketamine-HCL (e.g. current or lifetime history of cerebrovascular accident; current significant hypertension [systolic blood pressure higher than 160 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure higher than 100 mmHg]; current severe cardiac decompensation [e.g. presence of dyspnea, peripheral edema, elevated jugular venous pressure, hepatomegaly, pulmonary rales, pleural effusions])