The (Cost-)Effectiveness of Generalist Versus Specialist Treatment for Severe Personality Disorders'

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:

1. Is generalist treatment (GIT-PD) non-inferior in improving level of personality functioning compared to specialist treatment (MBT/ST) in patients suffering from severe personality disorders (PD)?
2. What patient characteristics predict which patients will benefit more from specialist or generalist treatment?

Participants will be randomized to either specialist or generalist treatment. Interventions included in specialist treatment are Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) and Schema Therapy (ST). Generalist treatment will be offererd following the principles of the Guideline-Informed Treatment for Personality Disorders (GIT-PD), a principle-driven treatment framework based upon common factors and allowing personalized treatment according to patients' needs. All participating institutions offer GIT-PD and MBT and/or ST. Before, during and after following this treatment participants will complete measurements at 8 distinct time points.

Participants will be asked to:

* 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)

Conditions

• Severe Personality Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Schema therapy

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.

BEHAVIORAL

Mentalization-based treatment

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.

BEHAVIORAL

Guideline-informed treatment for 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• GGZ de Viersprong

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Ggz Oost Brabant

  collaborator OTHER

• Stichting Altrecht GGZ

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Stichting Dimence Group

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Tilburg University

  collaborator OTHER

• Arkin

  lead INDUSTRY

Principal Investigators

• Henricus L. Van, Dr. · Arkin NPI

• Joost Hutsebaut, Prof. dr. · Tilburg University; GGZ de Viersprong

• Nathan Bachrach, Dr. · Tilburg University; GGZ Oost-Brabant

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-10-21

Primary Completion

2028-12-31

Completion

2028-12-31

Countries

• Netherlands

Study Locations