Modified Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Treating Anxiety and Depression

Adaptation of Individual Dialectical Behavior Therapy Intervention for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Two Medical Centers: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Not applicable Interventional Mackay Memorial Hospital · NCT05989451

This study is testing a new type of therapy called modified Dialectical Behavior Therapy to see if it can help people with anxiety and depression feel better and improve their quality of life.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment250 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 60 Years
SexAll
SponsorMackay Memorial Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Taipei)
Trial IDNCT05989451 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of a modified Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) intervention for the transdiagnostic treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders. Conducted over three years, the study will involve a randomized controlled design with two parallel groups at two medical centers in Taiwan. Participants will receive 12 weekly individual therapy sessions, and their clinical outcomes will be assessed before, after, and three months post-intervention. The goal is to determine whether this modified DBT approach can improve the severity of emotional disorders and enhance overall quality of life.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are Mandarin-speaking individuals currently diagnosed with anxiety or depressive disorders.

Not a fit: Patients with intellectual disabilities, substance use disorders, or severe mental health conditions such as bipolar or psychotic disorders may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve treatment outcomes for patients suffering from anxiety and depressive disorders.

How similar studies have performed: Preliminary studies on transdiagnostic psychotherapy approaches, including DBT, have shown encouraging results, suggesting potential for success in this novel application.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Mandarin Chinese-language proficiency sufficient to complete study questionnaire
2. A current diagnosis of depressive or anxiety disorder as diagnosed from a SCAN interview

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Intellectual disability
2. Substance use disorder in the past three months
3. Bipolar disorder
4. Psychotic disorder
5. Organic brain disorder
6. Acute suicidality or a history of frequent or recent suicide attempts
7. Recent (past six weeks) change in psychiatric medication or unwillingness to maintain a stable dosage of medication during study participation
8. Had received five or more sessions of CBT in the past five years or unwilling to stop concurrent psychotherapy for an emotional disorder
9. Any mental or physical condition requiring hospital admission
10. Another medical condition likely to prevent participation in the study

Where this trial is running

Taipei

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 Anxiety DisorderDepressive Disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.