DBT for Borderline Personality Disorder

(FASTER-DBT Trial)

Not currently 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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether a shorter, 6-month dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) program is as effective as the standard 12-month program for individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The researchers aim to determine if the shorter treatment can reduce self-harm and suicidal behaviors while being more accessible and cost-effective. Participants must have a history of self-harm, reside in the Greater Toronto or Greater Vancouver areas, and not have recently undergone extensive DBT. This study could increase DBT availability for those in need. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could make effective therapy more accessible and affordable.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this DBT protocol is safe for treating borderline personality disorder?

Research has shown that Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is generally safe for people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Studies have found that DBT can reduce self-harm and improve mental health. Reviews of DBT treatments indicate that people with BPD and their loved ones often have positive experiences with this therapy.

Specific studies examined the safety of DBT, including online versions, and found it well-tolerated. These studies reported significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life without major side effects. This suggests that DBT, whether in-person or online, is a safe option for managing BPD symptoms.

In summary, research supports the safety of both 6-month and 12-month DBT programs, providing reassurance to those considering this therapy. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for Borderline Personality Disorder because it offers a structured, time-limited approach that could make therapy more accessible and manageable for patients. Unlike many current treatments that often require long-term commitment, this trial compares a 6-month and a 12-month DBT program, providing insights into the optimal duration for effective results. DBT is unique in its combination of cognitive-behavioral techniques and mindfulness practices, which can help individuals develop emotional regulation and interpersonal skills more effectively than traditional therapies. This trial aims to determine whether a shorter, 6-month DBT program can deliver comparable benefits to the standard 12-month duration, potentially allowing more individuals to access and complete this impactful treatment.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for borderline personality disorder?

This trial will compare two durations of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for treating borderline personality disorder (BPD): a 6-month program and a 12-month program. Studies have shown that DBT effectively treats BPD. Research indicates that both 6-month and 12-month DBT programs help reduce self-harm and impulsive behavior in people with BPD. One study found that 6 months of DBT is nearly as effective as 12 months in improving symptoms. However, the 12-month program may offer more lasting improvements in mood stability and reduce the need for hospitalization. Overall, DBT is a proven therapy for effectively managing BPD symptoms. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Shelley McMain, Ph.D

Principal Investigator

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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

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

My IQ is below 70.

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

Timeline for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10896753/

Efficacy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy in the Treatment ... Improvement of compliance, impulsivity, mood instability, as well as reduction in hospitalization rate are other findings observed in the trials following DBT.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6007584/

Dialectical behavior therapy as treatment for borderline ... Randomized controlled trials have shown the efficacy of DBT not only in BPD but also in other psychiatric disorders, such as substance use disorders, mood ...

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02387736

DBT for Chronically Self-harming Individuals With BPD ... The effectiveness of 6 versus 12-months of dialectical behaviour therapy for borderline personality disorder: the feasibility of a shorter treatment and ...

4. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-024-61795-9

Comparison of 8-vs-12 weeks, adapted dialectical ... This retrospective, naturalistic non-randomized study aimed to compare the efficacy of 8 week and 12 week DBT interventions with equivalent content.

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352250X21000038

Implementation of an evidence-based intervention for ... A recently updated systematic review of psychological therapies for BPD found DBT to be more effective at reducing BPD severity and self-harm and improving ...

6. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39808784/

Acceptance, Safety, and Effect Sizes in Online Dialectical ... Conclusions: Telehealth DBT for BPD showed large pre-post effect sizes for BPD symptoms and quality of life. While the telehealth format ...

7. formative.jmir.org formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e66181

Acceptance, Safety, and Effect Sizes in Online Dialectical ... Objective: This study aims to provide initial effect size estimates of symptom change from pre- to post treatment, and the acceptance and safety ...

8. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK567202/

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for People with Borderline ... The purpose of this review is to provide information on the experiences and views of people living with BPD and people involved in their lives.

9. bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-018-1802-z

The effectiveness of 6 versus 12-months of dialectical ... Results support the effectiveness of DBT relative to treatment as usual for reducing self-injurious behaviours and treatment dropout among BPD ...

10. mental.jmir.org mental.jmir.org/2021/4/e27308

Effectiveness of Delivering Dialectical Behavioral Therapy ... Acceptance, Safety, and Effect-Sizes in Online-Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder: A feasibility study (Preprint).