Table 2.
Synthesis of additional RCT not including in the Cochrane reviews and the meta-analyses, concerning ketamine efficacy
| Authors | Etiology | n subjects | Design | Rating scale | Ketamine efficacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ketamine versus placebo | |||||
| Ionescu et al, 201946 Single center |
TR MDD | 26 | (a) K: 6 IV infusions 0.5 mg/kg over 45 mins, twice weekly for 3 weeks (n=13) (b) PBO (n=13) |
HDRS | No efficacy across infusions at week 1, 2, and 3. |
| Popova et al, 201947 Multicenter |
TR MDD | 223 | (a) Intranasal (S)-K, 56 or 84 mg twice weekly+AD for 4 weeks (n=114) (b) PBO+AD for 4 weeks (n=109) |
MADRS | Efficacy at week 4. No efficacy at day 1, week 1, 2, and 3. |
| Arabzadeh et al, 201848 Single center |
MDD | 90 | (a) Oral K, 25 mg twice daily for 6 weeks (n=45) (b) PBO (n=45) |
HDRS-17 | Efficacy at week 2, 4, and 6. |
| Canusco et al, 201849 Multicenter |
TR MDD | 66 | (a) Intranasal (S)-K, 84 mg twice weekly for 4 weeks (n=35) (b) PBO (n=31) |
MADRS | Efficacy at 4 hrs and day 1. No efficacy at day 25. |
| Daly et al, 201850 Multicenter |
TR MDD | 67 | (a) Intranasal (S)-K, 28 (n=11), 56 (n=11) or 84 mg (n=12) administered twice weekly for 2 weeks (double-blind period) (b) PBO (n=33) |
MADRS | Efficacy at day 1 and 2, week 1 and 2. |
| Domany et al, 201851 Single center |
MDD | 41 | (a) K (n=22): 1 mg/kg thrice weekly for 21 days by oral route (b) PBO (n=19) |
MADRS | Efficacy at 40 mins, 4 hrs, day 3, week 1, 2, and 3. |
| Chen et al, 201852 Single center |
TR MDD | 24 | (a) Ketamine (n=8): 1 IV infusion 0.5 mg/kg over 40 mins (b) Ketamine 0.2 mg/kg (n=8): 1 IV infusion 0.2 mg/kg over 40 mins (c) PBO (n=8) |
HDRS-17 | Efficacy (0.5 mg/kg) at 4 hrs and day 1. No efficacy at 40 mins, 80 mins and 2 hrs. |
| Su et al, 201753 Single center |
TR MDD | 71 | (a) K (n=24): 1 IV infusion 0.5 mg/kg over 40 mins (b) K (n=23): 1 IV infusion 0.2 mg/kg over 40 mins (c) PBO (n=24) |
HDRS-17 | Efficacy (0.5 mg/kg) from 40 mins to 4 weeks post-infusion. |
| Hu et al, 201654 Single center |
TR MDD | 23 | (a) K: 1 IV infusion 0.5 mg/kg over 40 mins+escitalopram: 10 mg/day for 4 weeks (n=13) (b) PBO+escitalopram (n=14) |
MADRS | Efficacy at 2 hrs, 4 hrs, day 1, 3, week 1 and 2. No efficacy at 60 mins, weeks 3 and 4. |
| Li et al, 201655 Single center |
TR MDD | 48 | (a) K (n=16): 1 IV infusion 0.5 mg/kg over 40 mins (b) K (n=16): 1 IV infusion 0.2 mg/kg over 40 mins (c) PBO (n=16) |
HDRS-17 | Efficacy (both groups) at 40 mins. No efficacy at 80 mins, 2and 4 hrs. |
| Singh et al, (a) 201656 Multicenter |
TR MDD | 30 | (a) (S)-K (n=11): 1 IV infusion 0.4 mg/kg over 40 mins (b) (S)-K (n=9): 1 IV infusion 0.2 mg/kg over 40 mins (c) PBO (n=10) |
HDRS-17 | Efficacy (both groups) at 2 hrs, 4 hrs, days 2 and 3. |
| Ketamine as pre-ECT anesthetic adjuvant versus active placebo | |||||
| Carspecken et al, 201857 Single center |
TR MDD | 50 | (a) K (n=23): 1–2 mg/kg (b) Methohexital (n=27): 1–2 mg/kg ECT: 3 consecutive sessions/week (right unilateral) |
HDRS-21 | No efficacy post-ECT (with a total of 3 ECT sessions). |
| Gamble et al, 201858 Single center |
TR MDD | 27 | (a) K (n=14): IV infusion 0.75 mg/kg (b) Propofol (n=13): 1 mg/kg 4–8 ECT (uni or bilateral): 2 or 3 sessions/week |
MADRS | Faster improvement of depressive symptoms with ketamine. |
Abbreviations: RCT, randomized controlled trial; TR, treatment-resistant; MDD, major depressive disorder; BD, bipolar depression; MA, meta-analysis; ECT, electroconvulsive therapy; K, ketamine; PBO, placebo; DB, bouble-blind; SB, single-blind; OL, open-label; P, parallel; CO, cross-over; MADRS, Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale; HDRS, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale; IV, intravenous; AD, antidepressant.