DBT for Borderline Personality Disorder

(FASTER-DBT Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Disqualifiers: Bipolar, Dementia, Psychotic disorders, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 9

Duration: 6-12 months

240 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Standard one-year dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), which has four components, is an effective treatment for people with borderline personality disorder. However, such DBT programs are in short supply and costly, resulting in long wait lists. In practice, DBT is often reduced in length or intensity. This study will determine whether shorter DBT treatment is clinically effective and cost-effective. In total, 240 self-harming BPD patients will be randomly assigned to receive either 1 year or 6 months of DBT, with follow-up lasting two years. Rates of suicidal and self-harm behaviours, use of health care and general psychological functioning will be examined.

Research Team

Shelley McMain, Ph.D

Principal Investigator

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder who have self-harmed at least twice in the last five years, once within the past eight weeks. Participants must speak English, consent to join, not have had extensive DBT therapy recently, and live in specific areas of Canada with local health insurance.

Inclusion Criteria

I haven't had 8 weeks of DBT therapy in the last year.

Has been a resident of Ontario or British Columbia for all of the past 12 months, at least

Meets DSM-IV criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder

Exclusion Criteria

My IQ is below 70.

Plans to move to a province other than Ontario or BC in the next 2 years

I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder I, dementia, or a specific psychotic disorder.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either 6 months or 12 months of standard dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) treatment

6-12 months

Visits every 3 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with assessments conducted at 3-month intervals

12 months

Visits every 3 months

Long-term Follow-up

Participants continue to be monitored for an additional year to assess long-term outcomes

12 months

Visits every 3 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy-12 months
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy-6 months

Trial Overview The study tests if a shorter 6-month Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) program is as effective and cost-efficient as the standard one-year program for reducing self-harm in people with BPD. Patients are randomly placed into two groups to compare outcomes over two years.

Participant Groups

Group I: Dialectical Behaviour Therapy-6 months Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

6 months of standard dialectical behaviour therapy treatment.

Group II: Dialectical Behaviour Therapy-12 months Active Control 1 Intervention

12 months of standard dialectical behaviour therapy treatment

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials

388

Recruited

84,200+

Simon Fraser University

Collaborator

Trials

59

Recruited

12,500+

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Collaborator

Trials

1,417

Recruited

26,550,000+