Which therapy format works best for borderline personality disorder?
NCT ID NCT05986552
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at two ways of giving schema therapy to people with borderline personality disorder (BPD): one-on-one sessions or a mix of individual and group sessions. The goal is to see which format reduces BPD symptoms more and has fewer people dropping out early. About 132 adults with BPD will take part, and their progress will be tracked over time.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 132 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Nov 2023
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2030
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 70 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * BPD as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-5 Personality Disorders (SCID-5-PD), as primary diagnosis * BPDSI total score ≥ 20 (i.e, severity in the BPD range, Giesen-Bloo et al., 2010) * Ability to understand, read, write and speak Dutch, or English if the site has research assistants and therapists of both conditions that are sufficiently fluent in English, as well as an English ST group (as at ACTP). Exclusion Criteria: * DSM-5 substance use disorder that needs clinical detox according to the clinical staff (after 6 weeks of abstinence participation is possible). * Comorbid psychotic disorder (patients with temporary psychotic problems falling under BPD criterion 9 are not excluded) * DSM-5 Bipolar disorder, type 1 (current or past) * Acute suicide risk * Intelligence Quotient (IQ) \< 80 * Serious neurological problems such as dementia * Patients should not start with any form of psychological treatment during screening or during the study's waitlist or treatment. (Low frequency supportive treatment may be continued during wait and screening, but not during the study treatment.) * Not able or willing to plan participation in the treatment sessions. Note 1. In case of suspicion of exclusion criteria that need specific assessment, like IQ and dementia, a formal diagnostic assessment needs to be done before in/exclusion can be decided. Note 2. No other psychological treatment during the study follow-up period is provided, unless this is necessary (clinical judgment). The 1 year treatment-free follow-up period is part of the treatment protocol, to help patients gain experience with life without mental health care. After 1 year further treatment can be offered, if indicated.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
3 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Academic Center for Trauma and Personality ACTP
Amsterdam, 1001NK, Netherlands
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Arkin Mental Health Care
Amsterdam, 1093 MB, Netherlands
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GGZ Oost-Brabant
Helmond, Netherlands
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