Outcome of mentalization-based and supportive psychotherapy in patients with borderline personality disorder: a randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
This study presents data from a randomized outcome study comparing mentalization-based and supportive psychotherapy for patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD).


METHODS
Eighty-five SCID-II diagnosed borderline patients were randomized to either i) 2 years of intensive (twice weekly) combined (individual and group), mentalization-based psychotherapy (MBT) or ii) 2 years of less-intensive (biweekly) supportive group therapy. Treatment outcome was assessed using a battery of self-report questionnaires, SCID-II interviews and therapist-rated global assessment of functioning (GAF).


RESULTS
Fifty-eight patients completed 2 years of treatment. Significant changes in both treatment groups were identified for several outcome measures, including self-reported measures of general functioning, depression, social functioning and number of diagnostic criteria met for BPD, as outlined by the SCID-II interview. General linear modelling was used to compare treatment outcome in the two groups. Only GAF showed a significantly higher outcome in the MBT group. A trend was found for a higher rate of recovery from BPD in the MBT group. Pre-post effect sizes were high (0.5-2.1) and for the most part highly significant in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The study indicates that both MBT and supportive treatment are highly effective in treating BPD when conducted by a well-trained and experienced psychodynamic staff in a well-organized clinic.
Department of Psychology, University of Aarhus, Aarhus C, Denmark. carsten@psy.au.dk
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Jørgensen
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Freund
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Bøye
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Jordet
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Andersen
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Kjølbye
D000328:Adult; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012917:Social Adjustment; D056345:Theory of Mind; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult