Outcomes of poorly functioning patients with personality disorders in a day treatment program.
OBJECTIVE
Rates of completion, complications, and outcome were examined in a sample of poorly functioning patients who participated in a group-oriented day treatment program for patients with personality disorders.


METHODS
The study was a naturalistic prospective study of 183 patients admitted to a day treatment program in Oslo, Norway. The program consists of a combination of group analytically oriented groups and cognitive-behavioral groups. The Global Severity Index (GSI) of the Symptom Check List, the circumplex version of the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-C), and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) were administered at admission and discharge.


RESULTS
A total of 138 [corrected] patients (77 percent) completed the day treatment program. Few patients experienced treatment complications. Effect sizes for GAF, GSI, and IIP-C scores for treatment completers were in the medium-to-high range, indicating a fair level of improvement. Patients' rating of benefit was positive.


CONCLUSIONS
The results are promising as a first step toward development of a cost-efficient comprehensive long-term treatment program for patients with severe personality disorders.
Wilberg
T
T
Division of Psychiatry, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. theresa.wilberg@psykiatri.uio.no
Karterud
S
S
Urnes
O
O
Pedersen
G
G
Friis
S
S
D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003631:Day Care, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome