Development of the Japanese version of the 30‐item Mystical Experience Questionnaire

A Japanese version of the Mystical Experiences Questionnaire (MEQ30) has been developed to assess mystical experiences induced by psychedelics, which are being studied as potential treatments for mental illness. Two Japanese psychiatrists independently translated the original English questionnaire into Japanese, then reconciled the translations into a unified version. This version was back-translated into English and reviewed by the original authors through an iterative process until they approved the final back-translated version. The authorized Japanese MEQ30 is now available for use in psychedelic-assisted therapy research with Japanese speakers, though further studies are needed to evaluate its reliability and validity.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Psychedelics have garnered increased attention as potential therapeutic options for various mental illnesses. Previous studies reported that psychedelics cause psychoactive effects through mystical experiences induced by these substances, including an altered state of consciousness. While this phenomenon is commonly assessed by the Mystical Experiences Questionnaire (MEQ30), a Japanese version of the MEQ30 has not been available. The aim of this study was to develop the Japanese version of the MEQ30. Methods We adhered to the “Principles of Good Practice for the Translation and Cultural Adaptation Process for Patient‐Reported Outcomes (PRO) Measures: Report of the ISPOR Task Force for Translation and Cultural Adaptation” in our translation process. Two Japanese psychiatrists independently performed forward translations, from which a unified version was derived through reconciliation. This version was subsequently back‐translated into English and reviewed by the original authors for equivalency. The iterative revision process was carried out through ongoing discussions with the original authors until they approved the final back‐translated version. Results The final, approved back‐translated version of the MEQ30 is presented in the accompanying figure. Additionally, the authorized Japanese version of the MEQ30 is included in the Appendix A. Conclusions In this study, we successfully developed a Japanese version of the MEQ30. This scale will facilitate the assessment of mystical experiences associated with psychedelic‐assisted therapy among Japanese speakers. Further research is warranted to evaluate the reliability and validity of this newly translated scale.