NCT06789380

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate if generalist treatment (GIT-PD) is non-inferior in improving level op personality functioning compared to specialist treatment (MBT/ST) in patients with severe personality disorders. The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • complete a range of instruments at baseline to enable the construction of a personalized advantage index to predict treatment response based on patient characteristics
  • complete questionnaires at all 7 post-randomization time points
  • undergo a semi-structured interview at 3 time points
  • follow treatment for personality disorders (either GIT-PD or MBT/ST)

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
358

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
31mo left

Started Oct 2024

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

5 active sites

Status
recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress38%
Oct 2024Dec 2028

Study Start

First participant enrolled

October 21, 2024

Completed
3 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 17, 2025

Completed
6 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 23, 2025

Completed
3.9 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 1, 2028

Expected
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 1, 2028

Last Updated

February 5, 2025

Status Verified

February 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

4.1 years

First QC Date

January 17, 2025

Last Update Submit

February 3, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

generalist psychotherapyspecialist psychotherapypersonality disorderAMPDschema therapymentalisation-based treatmentguideline-informed treatment for personality disorderslevel of personality functioningalternative model of personality disordersGIT-PDMBTST

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • Level of Personality Functioning Scale - Brief Form 2.0 (LPFS-BF 2.0)

    The LPFS-BF 2.0 is a self-report questionnaire consisting of 12 items (Weekers et al., 2018). Each item reflects a basic underlying impairment related to the 12 features of personality functioning according to Criterium A of the AMPD such as identity, self-direction, intimacy and relational functioning. The LPFS-BF 2.0 offers a severity index for personality pathology making it suitable for measuring treatment effects. Each item is scored on a scale from 1 (=very false or often false) to 4 (=very true or often true). Therefore, participants achieve a total score between 12 and 48 representing the severity of impairment in personality functioning. Data collection is done digitally via Castor or with pen and paper, based on participants preference. Pen and paper results are copied into Castor by hand by research assistants. Raw data is digitalized and stored on a local drive.

    From enrollment to the follow-up assessment 30 months after the start of treatment.

  • Semi-structured Interview for Personality Functioning (STiP-5.1)

    The STiP-5.1 is a semi-structured clinical interview that provides a multi-item assessment of the severity of personality impairments according to the Level of Personal Functioning Scale (LPFS) of the AMPD included in Section III of DSM-5 (APA, 2013). The interviewer should rate the severity of each facet on a scale ranging between 'little to no impairment' (0) to 'extreme impairment' (4). It takes 45 minutes on average to administer the interview. A total score between 0 and 48 is given to indicate the participants global level of personality functioning . We administer the STiP-5.1 at 3 distinct time points. At the start and end of treatment and after 1 year follow up. All interviews are done by blinded research assistants, and the scores are directly logged in Castor. Interviews will be done either face to face or via video call.

    From enrollment to the follow-up assessment 30 months after the start of treatment.

Secondary Outcomes (8)

  • Severity Indices of Personality Problems - Short Form (SIPP-SF)

    From enrollment to the follow-up assessment 30 months after the start of treatment.

  • Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI)

    From enrollment to the follow-up assessment 30 months after the start of treatment.

  • Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale Screen Version (C-SSRS)

    From enrollment to the follow-up assessment 30 months after the start of treatment.

  • SCID-5-PQ

    From enrollment to the follow-up assessment 30 months after the start of treatment.

  • WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0)

    From enrollment to the follow-up assessment 30 months after the start of treatment.

  • +3 more secondary outcomes

Other Outcomes (13)

  • The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form (CTQ-SF)

    After enrollment at baseline, pre randomisation.

  • PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)

    After enrollment at basline, pre randomisation.

  • Autism Spectrum Quotient

    After enrollment at baseline, pre randomisation.

  • +10 more other outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Specialist Treatment for Severe Personality Disorders

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive specialist treatment for severe personality disorders. Specifically, the type of treatment will be either mentalization-based treatment (MBT) or schema therapy (ST), depending on local availbility, treatment history and shared-decision making. Both MBT and ST must adhere to the protocol and minimum dosage described in respective effect studies published on MBT or ST.

Behavioral: Schema therapyBehavioral: Mentalization-based treatment

Generalist Treatment for Severe Personality Disorders

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive a generalist treatment for severe personality disorders. Specificially, the Guideline-Informed Treatment for Personality Disorders (GIT-PD). Sites can only participate in this study, if they offer a GIT-PD programme of lower dosage than the specialist intervention offered at the same site.

Behavioral: Guideline-informed treatment for personality disorders

Interventions

Schema therapyBEHAVIORAL

Schema therapy (ST) is an evidence-based, fully manualized, specialist form of psychotherapy for personality disorders (Bamelis et al., 2014; Sempértegui et al., 2013; Arntz et al., 2022). Eligible programs must adhere to the minimum standards described in the evidence-based literature. ST is an integrative treatment method, originally rooted in cognitive theory, but with additional influences from Gestalt, psychodynamic, and experiential methods. Schema therapy programs may differ in intensity and duration, even at the same site, but must include a minimum of either 40 sessions and/or a duration of 12 to 24 months. In addition, in order to be eligible, a schema therapy program must be of higher intensity or longer duration than the generalist treatment (GIT-PD) offered at the same site.

Also known as: Schema-focused therapy, SFT
Specialist Treatment for Severe Personality Disorders

Mentalization-based treatment (MBT) is an evidence-based, fully manualized, specialist form of psychotherapy for personality disorders (Bateman \& Fonagy, 2008; Bateman \& Fonagy, 2009; Laurenssen et al., 2018; Juul et al., 2023). MBT is rooted in psychodynamic and attachment theory and aims to alter personality pathology by improving mentalizing and enhancing epistemic trust. Eligible programs must adhere to the minimum standards described in the evidence-based literature. MBT programs may differ in intensity and duration, even at the same site, but must include a minimum of either 40 sessions or a duration of 12 to 24 months. In additon, in order to be eligible, an MBT program must be of higher intensity or longer duration than the generalist treatment (GIT-PD) offered at the same site.

Specialist Treatment for Severe Personality Disorders

GIT-PD is a non-theoretical and non-methodological approach, based upon principles derived from common factors across evidence-based treatments for PD. GIT-PD has a flexible approach, enabling tailoring treatment to clinical needs of different types of patients. The treatment duration (start-end) is 12- 18 months. The treatment consists of three distinct phases. First, an assessment phase. Second, a modular treatment phase that offers either group or individual interventions. Third, a follow-up phase with limited treatment and focus on relapse prevention. In order to be eligible, GIT-PD should be less intensive than specialist psychotherapies offered in the control arm at the same location (i.e. MBT or ST). GIT-PD will not include evidence-based psychotherapy for personality disorders as described in previous RCTs.

Generalist Treatment for Severe Personality Disorders

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • 'severe' or 'extreme' personality disorder (PD) according to the alternative model for PDs

You may not qualify if:

  • IQ \< 75
  • legal incapacity
  • Any mental state disorder that requires prior treatment

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (5)

GGZ de Viersprong

Halsteren, North Brabant, Netherlands

RECRUITING

GGZ Oost-Brabant

Helmond, North Brabant, Netherlands

RECRUITING

Arkin NPI

Amsterdam, North Holland, 1033NN, Netherlands

RECRUITING

Dimence Group

Almelo, Overijssel, Netherlands

RECRUITING

Altrecht

Zeist, Utrecht, Netherlands

NOT YET RECRUITING

Related Publications (1)

  • Bomhof C, Loffler JP, Brugman S, Lodder P, van den End A, van Dijk MK, van Westen M, van Dam L, Wielaard I, Mensink W, Muskens L, de Moor B, Bachrach N, Van HL, Hutsebaut J. The effectiveness of generalist (GIT-PD) versus specialist treatment (MBT/ST) for severe personality disorders (Personality Disorders Access to Effective Treatment, P-DAET): study protocol of a pragmatic randomised controlled non-inferiority multicentre trial. BMC Psychiatry. 2025 Nov 20;25(1):1107. doi: 10.1186/s12888-025-07550-4.

Related Links

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Personality Disorders

Interventions

Schema TherapyMentalization-Based Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

PsychotherapyBehavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

  • Henricus L. Van, Dr.

    Arkin NPI

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
  • Joost Hutsebaut, Prof. dr.

    Tilburg University; GGZ de Viersprong

    STUDY DIRECTOR
  • Nathan Bachrach, Dr.

    Tilburg University; GGZ Oost-Brabant

    STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned to either group A or B. Group A will receive the guideline-infomred treastment for personality disorders (GIT-PD). Group B receives either mentalization-based treatment (MBT) or schema therapy (ST), depending on local availbility, treatment history and shared-decision making.
Sponsor Type
INDUSTRY
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 17, 2025

First Posted

January 23, 2025

Study Start

October 21, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2028

Last Updated

February 5, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-02

Locations