Prospective preference assessment for the Ecstasy for Alleviating Severe Chronic Neuropathic Pain (EASE-Pain) trial
Authors' conclusion
The results of this study indicate a strong willingness among patients with chronic pain to participate in the EASE-Pain trial. Primary concerns included side effects and impacts on comorbidities.
Study context
- Population
- Patients from the St. Michael's Hospital Pain Clinic (Toronto, Canada), July to August 2024, assessed for a planned RCT of MDMA vs active placebo (methylphenidate) for chronic neuropathic pain
- Participants
- 42 patients
- Exposure
- Willing vs not willing to participate in the EASE-Pain trial
- Outcome
- Willingness to participate in the EASE-Pain trial
Methodological detailsmixed-methods survey study, single-centre, qualitative thematic analysis, self-administered questionnaire
- Mixed-methods survey study
- Single-centre
- Qualitative thematic analysis
- Self-administered questionnaire
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Willingness to participate
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
White/European participants
P < 0.001
Motivating factors for participation
- Pain relief
- 62%
- Seeking alternatives to ineffective treatments
- 26%
Common concerns
- Side effects
- 43%
- Impacts on comorbidities
- 19%
- Stigma of MDMA
- 19%
Original publication
Prospective preference assessment for the Ecstasy for Alleviating Severe Chronic Neuropathic Pain (EASE-Pain) trial. Can J Anaesth. Published 1 August 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →