Mapping the Use of Ketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression and Other Psychiatric Disorders: A Scoping Review of Practice Patterns, Efficacy, and Patient Demographic Trends.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Scoping review synthesizing only two survey-based studies
PubMed 40338681 · doi:10.1097/MJT.0000000000001951
What was done
A scoping review was conducted across Web of Science, PubMed, CBM, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, University Theses, and Embase. The authors evaluated clinical practice patterns, routes of administration, provider roles, patient characteristics, and barriers to accessing ketamine for psychiatric conditions, particularly treatment-resistant depression.
What was found
Only two survey-based studies met the inclusion criteria. The abstract provides no numerical data, sample counts, or statistical values. Both studies identified intravenous administration as the most common route, with emerging use of intramuscular and sublingual delivery. Patients were predominantly middle-aged (36–64 years old). Reported barriers included limited insurance coverage and reduced rural access. Private clinics demonstrated more variable protocols than hospital settings.
Why it matters
This review highlights how off-label ketamine is currently delivered in real-world clinical practice, emphasizing substantial protocol heterogeneity and accessibility barriers across treatment settings.
Limits
The review captured only two survey-based studies, sharply limiting generalizability. No quantitative data or effect sizes are provided in the abstract. Survey methodology introduces response and recall bias, and long-term efficacy and safety outcomes were not evaluated.
Cited by
- context Ketamine is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression.