Comparing emotion-focused and cognitive interventions for borderline personality disorder
Effects of Emotion-focused vs. Cognitive Schema Therapy Interventions on Emotion Regulation Deficits in Borderline Personality Disorder - Associations Between Clinical Efficacy, Brain Network Function and Local Glutamate/GABA Metabolism
This study is testing whether two different types of therapy can help people with borderline personality disorder manage their emotions better over nine weeks.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Jena University Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Jena) |
| Trial ID | NCT06367907 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to evaluate the effects of two different approaches of schema therapy on emotion regulation deficits in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). It employs a randomized, single-blinded parallel-group design to compare emotion-focused interventions with cognitive interventions over a 9-week treatment period. The study will also assess changes in neurotransmitter metabolism and brain connectivity using advanced imaging techniques before and after the treatment, as well as six months later. A total of 120 patients with BPD and 60 healthy volunteers will be recruited for comprehensive assessments.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are right-handed females aged 18 to 30 who meet the diagnostic criteria for borderline personality disorder and have not previously undergone psychotherapy.
Not a fit: Patients with acute suicidal ideation, current psychotic disorders, or significant trauma-related disorders may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved therapeutic strategies for managing emotion regulation in patients with borderline personality disorder.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on schema therapy, this specific comparison of emotion-focused versus cognitive interventions in BPD is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients are eligible if they * fulfil diagnostic criteria (1.-4. see below) of BPD according to the Alternative DSM-5 Model (Sec-tion III of DSM 5, p 761ff (APA, 2013), * are between 18 and 30 years of age, * are female, * are right-handed, * are free of any treatment with antidepressants, antipsychotic or mood stabilizing medication (sporadic use of tranquillizers to induce sleep will be permitted) * have never been in psychotherapy before (in particular DBT, ST, CBT, TBP), * are willing to participate in (group) therapy, * are willing to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Patients will be excluded if they * acutely suffer suicidal ideas, * suffer manifest affective or anxiety disorder ac-cording to DSM-5 criteria or have a lifetime his-tory of or current psychotic disorder (except brief psychotic disorder according to the DSM-5), * present a clinically manifest trauma-related dis-order (in particular PTSD), * suffer dissociative identity disorder, substance dependence needing clinical detoxification, ano-rexia nervosa with BMI \< 14 or a serious and/or unstable medical illness, * have an IQ below 80, * are at any risk in terms of MRI investigations
Where this trial is running
Jena
- University Hospital Jena — Jena, Germany (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Stefan Smesny — Jena University Hospital
- Study coordinator: Stefan Smesny, PhD
- Email: stefan.smesny@med.uni-jena.de
- Phone: +4936419390451
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.