Brief Psychological Intervention for Borderline Personality Disorder

RC
Overseen ByResearch Coordinator
Age: Any Age
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a four-session therapy for individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) who visit emergency departments due to suicidal thoughts or self-harm. The therapy, known as the Gold Card Intervention, emphasizes education, problem-solving, and safety planning to reduce emergency visits and enhance life quality. Participants will either receive this therapy or continue with usual care, which includes psychiatric assessments and medication reviews. Suitable candidates have BPD and have recently experienced self-harm or suicidal thoughts. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance future care for BPD patients.

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 intervention is safe for people with borderline personality disorder?

Research shows that the Gold Card Intervention is generally safe for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). This program includes four sessions designed to help individuals in crisis manage their symptoms. Early results from a small study found that this treatment was practical and well-received by both patients and healthcare providers.

In similar programs, such as one conducted across Australia, this type of intervention gained popularity and improved outcomes for people in acute crises. The study reported no serious side effects, indicating it is well-tolerated. Participants attended regular sessions focused on learning and problem-solving, which seemed to help them without causing harm.

While researchers continue to study the effectiveness of this psychological treatment, current evidence supports its safety for those considering joining a trial.12345

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

The Gold Card Intervention is unique because it offers a focused, short-term approach tailored specifically for individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Unlike traditional treatments for BPD, which often involve lengthy therapy or medication, this intervention is condensed into just four weekly sessions that emphasize psychoeducation, problem-solving, and safety planning. One key feature is the involvement of a significant other in one of the sessions, which helps to educate and engage the patient's support network, potentially enhancing the therapeutic outcome. Researchers are excited about this approach as it could provide quick, effective support for BPD, making treatment more accessible and practical for individuals seeking immediate help.

What evidence suggests that the Gold Card Intervention might be an effective treatment for borderline personality disorder?

Research shows that the Gold Card Intervention, a treatment in this trial, holds promise for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) in crisis. Studies have found that it significantly reduces BPD symptoms and emotional distress, with small to moderate improvements in overall functioning. This treatment emphasizes problem-solving and safety planning, aiding patients in better symptom management. Both patients and clinicians find it practical and well-received, making it a strong option for assisting those with BPD in emergency situations.23678

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals aged 16 or older with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) who come to the Emergency Department due to self-harm or suicidal thoughts. They must understand and agree to the study's procedures, sign a consent form, have BPD as confirmed by a specific examination, and show certain levels of suicidal ideation.

Inclusion Criteria

Meeting criteria for BPD on the International Personality Disorders Examination (IPDE)
Endorsing a score of 1 or greater on the Suicide Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS)
I understand the details of the clinical trial and can agree to participate.
See 4 more

Exclusion Criteria

Meeting DSM-5 criteria for schizophrenia spectrum disorder or bipolar disorder I mania based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5)
Severe alcohol or substance use disorder based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5) requiring medical detoxification or residential treatment
IQ < 70 based on the Test of Premorbid Functioning (TOPF)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive a 4-session manualized intervention consisting of weekly scheduled 50-minute 1:1 sessions focused on psycho-education, here-and-now problem solving, and safety planning

4 weeks
4 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with assessments at 3 and 6 months

6 months
2 visits (in-person or virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Gold Card Intervention

Trial Overview

The trial tests a 'Gold Card Intervention,' which is a brief 4-session treatment aimed at reducing emergency healthcare use and improving symptoms in BPD patients. This will be compared against the usual treatment given in such emergencies.

How Is the Trial Designed?

2

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Gold Card InterventionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: Treatment As UsualActive Control1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials
388
Recruited
84,200+

Citations

Brief Psychological Intervention for Suicidal Patients With ...

The proposed fully powered RCT will build on this pilot data to assess the efficacy of delivering this 4-session intervention in the ED for people with BPD who ...

A Retrospective Audit | Journal of Personality Disorders

This study describes individual and system-level outcomes from a large-scale health-care improvement initiative to implement Gold Card SA across South Australia ...

Dialectical behavior therapy as treatment for borderline ... - PMC

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 ...

Randomized effectiveness‐implementation trial of ...

Primary outcomes were emotion dysregulation and BPD symptoms. Secondary outcomes were suicidality, coping, depression, anxiety, and stress.

Implementation and outcomes of a brief crisis intervention for ...

A brief intervention model such as Gold Card SA, embedded within a public mental health setting, may support adolescents and their families ...

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pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38324250/

A State-Wide Initiative to Improve Health System ...

Gold Card SA is a four-session structured psychological intervention offered soon after an acute crisis presentation to people with symptoms characteristic ...

Digital Interventions for Symptoms of Borderline ...

This systematic review aims to characterize digital interventions targeting BPD symptoms, assess treatment efficacy, and identify its association with ...