EMDR therapy for adults with borderline personality disorder
Effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Applied to Borderline Personality Disorder: an Interventional Prospective Case Control Study in a Real-world Care Setting
This trial will try EMDR, a trauma-focused psychotherapy, to reduce symptoms in adults with borderline personality disorder, particularly those with a history of early-life trauma or PTSD.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 56 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale degli Spedali Civili di Brescia Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Brescia, Brescia) |
| Trial ID | NCT06493708 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional trial delivers Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to adults diagnosed with borderline personality disorder confirmed by SCID-5-CV and SCID-5-PD. Participants are recruited at ASST Spedali Civili in Brescia, Italy, and receive EMDR according to a clinical protocol with assessments at baseline and follow-up visits. Key exclusions include suicidal ideation within the past three months, intellectual disability, active substance or alcohol disturbances, and most other Axis I diagnoses except depressive, anxiety, and OCD disorders. The trial measures changes in core BPD symptom domains and trauma-related symptoms after EMDR treatment.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with a DSM-5 diagnosis of borderline personality disorder confirmed by SCID-5 interviews, without recent suicidal ideation or active substance use, are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People with recent active suicidal ideation, active substance or alcohol use disorders, intellectual disability, or major comorbid Axis I disorders (other than depression, anxiety, or OCD) are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, EMDR could reduce trauma-related and emotional dysregulation symptoms in people with BPD and improve daily functioning.
How similar studies have performed: EMDR is a gold-standard therapy for PTSD and smaller studies suggest it can help trauma-related symptoms in BPD, but large, definitive trials in BPD remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients must be over 18 years old * A current diagnosis of PBD according to the DSM-5 was confirmed using the SCID-5-CV and SCID-5-PD diagnostic scale Exclusion Criteria: * Suicidal ideation in the last 3 months (suicidal thoughts active intentionally but without specific planning or suicidal thoughts active with planning and intentionality) * Intellectual disability * Any active disturbance from use of substances or alcohol * Any other diagnosis of Axis I, except for Depressive Disorders, Anxious Spectrum Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
Where this trial is running
Brescia, Brescia
- ASST Spedali Civili Brescia — Brescia, Brescia, Italy (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Alessandra Minelli, Prof — Università degli Studi di Brescia
- Study coordinator: Alessandra Minelli, Prof
- Email: alessandra.minelli@unibs.it
- Phone: +39 380 3503413
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.