Clinical Trial: Central Meditation and Imagery Therapy for Augmentation of Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Pilot Study of Central Meditation and Imagery Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder

Brief Summary:

Borderline personality disorder is a severe psychiatric disorder marked by emotional instability, difficulty with interpersonal relationships, and self-harming behaviors. Despite receiving psychotherapy for borderline personality disorder, studies show that patient recovery is slow, and there is a high rate of self injury and suicide attempts early in treatment. There is thus a clear need to provide therapies to augment psychotherapy. We will conduct a pilot trial to determine whether a 6-week Central Meditation and Imagery Therapy (CMIT) is feasible for subjects with borderline personality disorder to undergo when added on to psychotherapy treatment. CMIT is a non-validated therapy that combines principles of mindfulness with meditation techniques and guided imagery. Sessions led by a trained clinician in a group setting once a week, and participants are asked to complete daily home practice.

The trial will involve 16 participants, all currently undergoing psychotherapy for borderline personality disorder. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a CMIT group that lasts 6 weeks, or a wait list group. Those in the wait list group will be able to receive CMIT after 6 weeks. All participants will continue to receive psychotherapy throughout the trial.

During the trial, we will also obtain preliminary data to help understand whether CMIT may result in psychological benefits for participants. This will include measuring the pulse in order to determine variation in beat to beat intervals of the heart during psychological tests, and filling out questionnaires before and after participation in CMIT.


Detailed Summary:
Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco

Current Primary Outcome: Borderline Symptoms [ Time Frame: 6 weeks ]

Borderline Symptom List


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Depression [ Time Frame: 6 weeks ]
    Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms
  • Anxiety [ Time Frame: 6 weeks ]
    Trait Anxiety Inventory
  • Positive Affect [ Time Frame: 6 weeks ]
    Positive and Negative Affect Scale


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: University of California, San Francisco

Dates:
Date Received: April 26, 2014
Date Started: April 2014
Date Completion:
Last Updated: May 11, 2017
Last Verified: May 2017