Group Schema Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    AN INTERNATIONAL MULTI-SITE RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP SCHEMA THERAPY FOR BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER

  • IRAS ID

    123692

  • Contact name

    Anna Lavender

  • Contact email

    Anna.Lavender@slam.nhs.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Maastrcht University

  • Research summary

    Up to half of all patients in psychiatric services meet criteria for personality disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD)is the most common subtype of personality disorder encountered in this context. The level of distress and functional impairment in patients with this condition is high - 80% have co-morbid mental disorders, physical co-morbidity is high, and the majority struggle to maintain work and relationships. Up to 10% of people with BPD commit suicide, and the majority use self harm as a way to regulate their emotions.

    Preliminary studies suggest Schema Therapy (ST) is an effective treatment for BPD, and that Group ST is even more effective than Individual ST. We have the opportunity to collaborate in a multicentre international trial to evaluate this approach. If it is successful it will offer a valuable treatment for use in NHS settings.

    We will compare two different types of Group-ST to treatment as usual. People with a diagnosis of BPD (also known as emotionally unstable personality disorder) will take part, and individuals will be randomised to receive their usual treatment or ST. The ST arm will be further randomised so that half attend twice weekly Group ST (Format A), and the other half attend once a week Group ST and once a week Individual ST (Format B). This will allow us to evaluate whether Schema Therapy adds anything to the usual care we provide. Comparing the two ST formats will allow us to assess if the less time intensive format (twice weekly group) is as effective as the more intensive (once weekly group + weekly individual). Patients will be seen for 12 months in this way, with treatment being systematically tapered off gradually across a further 12 month period. Participants will be in the trial for three years.

  • REC name

    London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    13/LO/1631

  • Date of REC Opinion

    24 Dec 2013

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion