Physical activity to help manage borderline or avoidant personality disorder

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized, three-arm feasibility trial will enroll about 60 adults receiving outpatient care at two psychotherapeutic clinics in the Capital Region of Denmark and assign them to usual treatment, usual treatment plus an 8-week pedometer-based walking program, or usual treatment plus 8 weeks of supervised karate. The primary focus is on feasibility, acceptability, and safety, measured by screening, recruitment, retention, attendance, and adverse events. The trial will also measure changes in objective outcomes (body composition and fitness) and patient-reported outcomes such as emotion regulation, personality disorder symptoms, interpersonal functioning, recovery, physical activity behavior, and body awareness. Participant experiences will be explored qualitatively to understand acceptability and perceived impact and to inform the design of a larger definitive trial.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* adults (≥18 years)
* documented diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD; F60.3, ICD-10) or avoidant personality disorder (AVPD; F60.6, ICD-10), as confirmed in the patient's medical record.
* at the time of recruitment, participants must be receiving treatment at one of two specialized psychotherapeutic outpatient clinics (Clinic A or Clinic B) in the Capital Region of Denmark
* proficient in Danish.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Individuals with a documented diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder (F60.2)

Where it's running

• Mental Health Center Stolpegård, Copenhagen University Hospital -Mental Health Services CPH, Copenhagen Denmark
  Gentofte Municipality, Capital Region, Denmark Recruiting
• Mental Health Centre Glostrup, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, Denmark
  Glostrup Municipality, Capital Region, Denmark Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Julie Midtgaard, Professor — Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre
• Study coordinator: Justina Petersen, PhD student
• Email: justina.petersen@regionh.dk
• Phone: +45 24278751

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Left DLPFC rTMS vs iTBS for emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and NSSI in Borderline Personality Disorder

  This trial tests whether high-frequency rTMS or intermittent theta-burst stimulation over the left DLPFC can help reduce emotional instability, impulsivity, and non-suicidal self-injury in adults with Borderline Personality Disorder.

  Recruiting Ain Shams University · Cairo, Cairo Governorate · NCT07919587

• Enhanced DBT skills group for Borderline Personality Disorder

  This study tests whether a 12-week DBT skills group helps reduce self-harm and suicidal behavior in people with borderline personality disorder better than a shorter 6-month program or usual care.

  Recruiting at 7 sites Hospital Dr Sotero del Rio · Padre Las Casas, Araucania and 6 other locations · NCT07875166

• Emotional dysregulation in adolescents with complex trauma traits

  Researchers will observe teens to see how emotional dysregulation shows up in CPTSD and how it differs from BPD and PTSD.

  Recruiting University Hospital, Strasbourg, France · Strasbourg, Grand Est · NCT07794332

• TMS plus Emotion Regulation Skills Training for Borderline Personality Disorder

  This study tests whether adding transcranial magnetic stimulation to emotion regulation skills training helps people with borderline personality disorder improve their ability to manage emotions.

  Recruiting Massachusetts General Hospital · Boston, Massachusetts · NCT07714005

• Gender and Borderline Personality Disorder: a look at relationships and self-view

  This study tests how gender identities relate to relationship experiences and self-perception in people with borderline personality disorder.

  Recruiting University Hospital Heidelberg · Heidelberg · NCT07639957

• Ketamine with DBT for suicidality in adults with treatment-resistant depression or bipolar disorder and BPD

  This study tests whether four ketamine infusions plus Dialectical Behavioural Therapy can more quickly reduce suicidal thoughts in adults with Borderline Personality Disorder and treatment-resistant depression or bipolar disorder.

  Recruiting Phase 2 University Health Network, Toronto · Toronto, Ontario · NCT07569198

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.