Training to improve emotion regulation in people with Borderline Personality Disorder

Cognitive Reappraisal Training Targeting Emotion Circuits As a Therapeutic Intervention in Borderline Patients

Not applicable Interventional Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NCT06772831

This study is testing a new training program to help people with Borderline Personality Disorder learn better ways to manage their emotions.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment130 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 55 Years
SexAll
SponsorIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Academic / other
Locations1 site (New York, New York)
Trial IDNCT06772831 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study focuses on developing and testing a cognitive reappraisal training program aimed at individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). The intervention involves teaching participants to use cognitive strategies to manage their emotional responses more effectively. By examining the neural and behavioral impacts of this training, the researchers aim to establish its efficacy in improving clinical outcomes for BPD patients. The study seeks to address the significant treatment gap for BPD, where current therapies have limited effectiveness.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are medically healthy adults aged 18 to 55 who have been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.

Not a fit: Patients with comorbid conditions such as Major Depressive Disorder or other specified personality disorders may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this training could significantly enhance emotional regulation and reduce the severity of symptoms in patients with BPD.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using cognitive reappraisal techniques for emotional regulation, suggesting potential success for this novel approach in treating BPD.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Medically healthy men and women with Borderline Personality Disorder who are mentally competent and give informed voluntary written consent.
* Participants will be between the ages of 18 and 55.
* Within these requirements, the inclusion and exclusion criteria do not reflect participation based on gender or racial/ethnic group. The targeted/planned enrollment is a reflection of previous recruitment of female and ethnic minorities in other studies conducted by the PI and their colleagues and includes representations of both genders and all minorities.
* Participants with comorbid avoidant personality disorder will be included.
* Participants who meet criteria for PTSD will be included as long as they are not actively experiencing symptoms.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participants will not meet criteria for Schizotypal Personality Disorder.
* Participants currently meeting criteria for Major Depressive Disorder will be excluded.
* BPD participants will not meet DSM-5 criteria for present PTSD, bipolar I disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, substance use disorder within the past 6 months, organic mental syndromes, head trauma, schizotypal personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder, CNS neurological disease, or seizure disorder. Participants meeting criteria for a non-IV substance use disorder more than 6 months prior to enrollment will not be excluded. This study allows patients who are currently taking psychotropic medications or are in psychotherapy, so long as there has been no change in medication or psychotherapy over the preceding two months.
* Participants currently meeting criteria for major depressive disorder.
* Participants meeting criteria for substance use disorder within the last 6 months or of an IV-substance use disorder at any time.
* Participants may not have a pacemaker, surgical clips, any metallic implants, or shrapnel fragments that would contraindicate MRI scanning.
* Pregnant women.

Where this trial is running

New York, New York

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 Borderline Personality DisorderBPDTreatmentfMRICognitive ReappraisalEmotion RegulationBorderline Personality
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.