DBT group program for adults with emotional dysregulation across different diagnoses

Progression of a Group of Patients Suffering From Emotional Dysregulation But Heterogeneous in Terms of Diagnosis, Benefiting From the DBT Group Programme.

Not applicable Interventional Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne · NCT06577675

This program tries a shortened (4–5 month) DBT group course to see if it improves emotion regulation in adults (18–65) with conditions like borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, PTSD, addictions, or eating disorders.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment32 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorCentre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne Academic / other
Locations1 site (Saint-Etienne, Saint Priest En Jarez)
Trial IDNCT06577675 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Participants receive a reduced Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) group training teaching mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance over 4–5 months. Eligible adults (18–65) must have significant emotional dysregulation (DERS > 94) and be followed by the Saint-Étienne care sector, while patients with psychosis, melancholic depression, severe aggression, intellectual disability, or under guardianship are excluded. The primary goal is to describe how emotional dysregulation changes across a diagnostically heterogeneous group after this group-based DBT program. Sessions are delivered in person at CHU Saint-Étienne (Saint-Priest-en-Jarez) as part of psychiatric care.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–65 with marked emotional dysregulation (DERS > 94) and a diagnosis such as borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, PTSD, addictive disorders, or eating disorders who can attend Saint-Étienne outpatient services are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with psychotic disorders, melancholic depression, aggressive or hostile behavior that prevents group work, intellectual disability, or those under guardianship are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce emotional dysregulation and teach coping skills that lower risky behaviors and improve daily functioning across multiple psychiatric diagnoses.

How similar studies have performed: DBT has strong evidence for reducing emotional dysregulation in borderline personality disorder and some supportive data in addictions, eating disorders, and mood disorders, but it has not previously been tested specifically in a diagnostically mixed group.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients affiliated to or entitled under a social security scheme
* Patients aged 18 to 65 suffering from emotional dysregulation and presenting one of the following clinical profiles: borderline disorder, bipolar disorder, addictive disorders, eating disorders, PTSD.
* Follow-up by the Saint Etienne sector (mobile teams, psychological medical centre, intra-hospital services, full-time therapeutic reception centre and day hospitals).
* DERS scale score \> 94.
* Patient having received informed information about the study and having signed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Psychotic disorders,
* Melancholic depression,
* Aggressive and hostile behaviour preventing group work,
* Intellectual deficit,
* Patient under guardianship.

Where this trial is running

Saint-Etienne, Saint Priest En Jarez

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Emotion RegulationEmotional Disorderemotional dysregulationtraining programmebehaviour therapyheterogeneous diagnostic groups
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.