Clinical Research Directory

A Pilot Trial of One-Day Accelerated TMS and D-cycloserine in Suicidal Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder

This study tests a new treatment for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The treatment combines a medication called D-cycloserine with one day of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The main questions it aims to answer are: * How many participants complete the treatment? * How do participants feel about the treatment? * Does the treatment have neurophysiological changes on participants? * Does the treatment improve BPD symptoms? * Do the benefits last over time? Participants will be asked to: * Come to the clinic for interviews and testing * Complete weekly questionnaires for 4 weeks before the treatment day * Take D-cycloserine the night before treatment * Attend one treatment day at the clinic. On that day, they may receive up to 20 short TMS sessions (each lasting 3 minutes and separated by 30 minutes). This visit may last up to 12 hours. * Complete weekly questionnaires for 6 weeks after the treatment day.

Intensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Self-Harm and Suicidal Behavior in Youth: A Pilot Study

The prevalence of self-harm and suicidal behavior among adolescents has increased dramatically over the past two decades-a fourfold rise that represents both a severe personal burden and a substantial public health challenge. Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A) is the gold-standard treatment; however, the standard 20-week format is resource-intensive and time-consuming, which limits accessibility. An intensive 4-week DBT (I-DBT) program has been developed that may improve access and reach a larger number of adolescents. The investigators now seek to evaluate its feasibility and preliminary outcomes. The investigators will assess the feasibility of I-DBT in two to three adolescent groups comprising a total of 8-12 participants and their caregivers in spring and autumn 2026, examining recruitment, feasibility, and outcome measures such as self-harm, suicide attempts, acute hospital admissions, depression, and quality of life, as well as treatment dropout. The investigators aim to use the feedback to make necessary adjustments before broader testing of the I-DBT intervention.

Brief Psychological Intervention for Suicidal Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder in the Emergency Department

When in crisis, people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) frequently seek care in emergency departments (EDs) often presenting with suicide and self-harm behaviour. There is no established evidence-based brief treatment for patients with BPD in ED settings, however a 4-session treatment for people with personality disorders in ED settings was tested in Australia and showed promising results in reducing health care use and improving symptoms. A recent pilot feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing this 4-session treatment to treatment as usual was conducted at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and preliminary findings have shown that the treatment is feasible to deliver and acceptable to both patients and clinicians. 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 present with suicidal ideation or self-harm with the aim of reducing emergency health care use and improving BPD symptoms, functioning and quality of life.

Pilot Study for the Evaluation of a New Psychotherapeutic Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder Patients With Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a serious mental health condition that often co-occurs with Complex PTSD (CPTSD), making treatment more challenging. Trauma-Focused Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT-TF) is a new adaptation of standard MBT designed for individuals with high trauma exposure. Early findings are promising, but further research is needed. This study at Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) will test the feasibility and acceptability of MBT-TF compared with standard MBT, gathering feedback from patients and clinicians and laying the groundwork for a larger clinical trial.

Physical Activity in the Management of Personality Disorders

The PANDA trial is studying whether two types of physical activity - a walking program and supervised karate training - are safe, acceptable, and possible for adults with certain personality disorders. The goal is to see if these activities can help people while being safe and easy to do. Who can take part: * Adults with borderline personality disorder or avoidant/anxious personality disorder. * People receiving treatment at two outpatient mental health clinics in the Capital Region of Denmark. * The study plans to include about 60 participants. What will happen in the study: Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: * Usual treatment only (control group). * Usual treatment plus walking program: an 8 - week pedometer - based program with goal setting and follow-up sessions. * Usual treatment plus supervised karate training: an 8 - week program led by experienced instructors. What the study will look at: * Main goal: Check if the programs can be done as planned, including whether participants attend sessions, follow the program, and stay safe. * Other outcomes: Possible changes in physical health, fitness, emotions, personality symptoms, body image, and daily activity. * Data will be collected through physical tests, questionnaires, and follow-up interviews about participants' experiences and motivation. * Measurements will take place at the start, after 8 weeks, and after 12 weeks (follow-up questionnaires only). Why this study is important: The results will help researchers decide if it is possible to run a larger study in the future to see if walking or karate training can improve health and wellbeing for people with personality disorders.

Internal Family Systems Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) involves intense emotional ups and downs, unstable relationships, impulsivity, and a poor sense of self. These challenges often lead to addiction, self-harm, and frequent use of healthcare services. While certain treatments already in practice - such as dialectical behavior therapy - can help, they don't work for everyone or address all aspects of the disorder. This study plans to explore internal family systems (IFS) therapy, a method that views the mind as made up of different "parts" - each with its own thoughts and feelings. IFS helps people build understanding and compassion toward these parts and connect with a calmer, more centered "Self." This may be especially useful for those with BPD, who often feel fragmented and extremely critical of themselves and others. This will be the first study to examine internal family systems therapy for BPD. The participants (15 in total) will receive up to 50 individual sessions over 15 months. Changes in symptoms and overall mental health will be measured at four points during the study. People with lived experience of BPD will help shape the research to ensure it is relevant, respectful, and useful for others facing similar challenges.

Conceptualizing Borderline Personality Disorder as a Relationship Use Disorder

This study aims to explore a novel conceptualization of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) as a "Relationship Use Disorder." The research proposes that BPD shares key features with behavioral addictions, specifically addiction to interpersonal relationships. The study builds upon previous findings suggesting that individuals with BPD experience intense emotional dysregulation, including negative self-perception, shame, and a compulsive need for external validation. This addiction to relationships, much like substance use disorders, is thought to contribute significantly to the difficulties faced by these individuals, including interpersonal conflicts, self-destructive behaviors, and emotional instability. The study seeks to demonstrate that the relational difficulties central to BPD meet the diagnostic criteria for addiction as defined by the DSM-5. It will also explore how these relational struggles are mediated by dysfunctional self-perception and whether they are linked to behaviors such as compulsive sexual behaviors (CSBD) or suicidal tendencies. Additionally, the research will investigate the relationship between addiction to relationships and neurobiological factors, including endorphin levels, in individuals with BPD compared to those with bipolar disorder and healthy controls. The hypothesis is that individuals with BPD will exhibit higher levels of relationship addiction, with this addiction being tied to their perception of self-worth and emotional experiences in relationships. This innovative approach aims to refine the understanding of BPD, reduce stigma, and improve treatment strategies by providing scientific evidence supporting the conceptualization of BPD as a "Relationship Use Disorder."

CULTURALLY ADAPTED DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY FOR LOW-MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES

The study aims to assess the efficacy of culturally adapted dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) for addressing emotional dysregulation in a low- and middle-income country, as well as to evaluate the impact of DBT on secondary outcomes such as borderline personality traits, self-harm or suicide, depression, anxiety, and individuals' functioning and disability. Through a rigorous Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT), the research seeks to assess how cultural adaptations of dialectical behaviour therapy improve its applicability, engagement, and outcomes in diverse socio-cultural settings, contributing to more accessible and effective mental health interventions in resource-limited regions.

Effectiveness of Autobiographical Rewriting Workshops on the Socio-Professional Functioning of Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder Undergoing Third-Wave Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study evaluates the effectiveness of autobiographical rewriting workshops combined with third-wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in improving social and professional functioning in individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). BPD affects approximately 2 to 6% of the general population and is frequently associated with suicidal behaviors, unstable relationships, and low self-esteem. This disorder is often linked to early traumatic experiences that impact autobiographical memory and self-perception. While Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a standard treatment for BPD, it does not fully address all the needs of patients. The aim of this study is to determine whether autobiographical rewriting, which allows individuals to restructure and reinterpret their memories in a more resilient way, can improve autobiographical memory, self-esteem, and reduce emotional symptoms. Participants will be randomized into two groups: one group will undergo autobiographical rewriting workshops in addition to third-wave CBT sessions, while the other group will participate in non-specific writing sessions also in addition to third-wave CBT sessions. The study will compare the two groups to evaluate the effectiveness of autobiographical rewriting workshops in enhancing social and professional well-being. Expected outcomes include improvements in interpersonal relationships, greater professional stability, and a reduction in emotional symptoms assessed immediately post-intervention, then 3 months and 6 months after. This study may offer a complementary therapeutic approach to existing treatments, helping patients manage their symptoms more effectively and improve their quality of life.

Affect-based Impulsivity in Borderline Personality Disorder

The purpose of this research study is to investigate how personality traits and neuroendocrine systems relate to decision-making patterns in individuals 18-45 years old. The main question it aims to answer is how neuroendocrine activity impacts decision-making. Participants will complete online behavioral tasks, a stress induction procedure, self-report surveys, and a cognitive assessment. During the session, psychophysiological measures will be collected, including electrocardiogram (ECG) and cardiac impedance (ICG) to monitor heart rate and blood flow, as well as electrodermal activity (EDA), blood drop samples, and saliva collection to assess nervous system activity.

Impact of Mindful Self-Compassion Therapy on Self Harm Behaviors, Emotional Regulation and Quality of Life Among Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder

The primary purpose of the study is to investigate whether Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) therapy can significantly reduce self-harm behaviors, improve emotional regulation, and enhance the quality of life in individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). The study aims to contribute to the existing literature by providing robust evidence on the efficacy of MSC therapy for BPD, which could inform clinical practices and improve treatment outcomes

Ketamine Infusion for Symptomatic Improvement in Severe Borderline Personality Disorder

The main objective of this pilot study is to evaluate at D9 the evolution of BPD symptoms' intensity(scale BSL-23) in severe BPD patients, after two Ketamine infusions (0.5mg/kg at H0 and H24). The intervention is combined with the first level standard of care : Good Psychiatric Management (GPM). Patients are followed up to 3 months by regular visits conducted by a psychiatrist. Secondary outcomes are monitored including BPD symptoms at different times, suicidal ideation, depressiv symptoms, healthcare use and adverse effects.

Study of Emotional Dysregulation in Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

This study aims to characterize emotional dysregulation in complex post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD) and to determine the extent to which it can promote the distinction with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As emotional dysregulation is a dynamic process whose phenomenological manifestations are labile, associated with physiological modifications and modulated by cognitive processing, a multiple methodology associating measurements in a real-life ecological context with measurements performed in the hospital will be preferred. Overall, this study proposes to capture, for the first time, the clinical manifestations associated with cPTSD from the perspective of emotional dysregulation and its underlying processes

Application and Effectiveness of the STEPPS in Patients with BPD, Extending to Their Families with the FC Program

The present research project is framed within the issue of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). This condition stands as one of the most common challenges encountered within the mental health services of the National Health System. The primary objectives of this research are to verify whether the combined use of established treatments for patients and their families, conducted in parallel, leads to a greater improvement in patients and their families, respectively. Additionally, another aim of the project is to assess efficiency, defined as the acceptance of intervention programs by patients, their families, and clinical professionals, as well as to demonstrate their feasibility.