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Cited by 31Personality Disorders and PsychopathologyPsychotherapy Techniques and ApplicationsBipolar Disorder and Treatment

Brief psychological interventions for borderline personality disorder. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

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Spong, A.J., Clare, I.C.H., Galante, J., Crawford, M.J., Jones, P.B.·2021·Clinical Psychology Review
DOI 10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101937
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Abstract

Background People with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) have limited access to long term psychological therapies. Briefer interventions have been developed but trial evidence to support their use has not been reviewed.Aims To examine whether psychological interventions for adults with BPD of six months duration or less improve symptoms, mood, self-harm, suicidal behaviour, and service use.Methods The protocol was prospectively registered (PROSPERO CRD42017063777). Database searches were conducted up to April 2020. Inclusion, data extraction and risk of bias were assessed in duplicate. We identified 27 randomised controlled trials. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses sub-grouping data into delivery method, additional support, and comparison type.Results High levels of bias were found for attrition and reporting. Heterogeneity was high in some pooled data. Borderline symptom reductions were greatest for interventions including additional support (SMD. -1.23, 95% C.I. -2.13, -0.33). Planned generic support may be as effective as specialist interventions for borderline symptoms (SMD = -0.11, 95% C.I. -0.51, 0.29) and social functioning (SMD = -0.16., 95% C.I. -0.65, 0.33). Follow-up was limited and direct comparison with post-intervention results was unreliable.Conclusions Short-term interventions may be effective. Access to additional support has an impact on outcomes. It is unclear if symptomatic change is sustained.

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  • Historically, recommendations for the treatment of BPD have steered away from short interventions given the pervasive nature of the condition and core relational symptoms relating to mistrust and fear of abandonment.

    “Historically, recommendations for the treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD) have steered away from short interventions given the pervasive nature of the condition and core relational symptoms relating to mistrust and fear of abandonment. 1”

    From Acceptability and feasibility of a short-term group therapy for people with borderline personality disorder symptoms (2024) · cites this paper as [1]

  • Sharing recovery experiences has been demonstrated to allow patients to gain some control over their illness and reduce symptoms in depression, substance use disorders and eating disorders.

    “Sharing recovery experiences has been demonstrated to allow patients to gain some control over their illness8 and reduce symptoms in depression,9 substance use disorders10 and eating disorders.11”

    From Recovery-focused self-help intervention using vodcasts for patients with personality disorder: Feasibility randomised controlled trial (2024) · cites this paper as [11]

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Authors
Spong, A. J., Clare, I. C. H., Galante, J., Crawford, M. J., & Jones, P. B.
Affiliations
  • Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
  • University of Cambridge (GB)
  • Imperial College London (GB)
Corresponding author
Spong, A.J.
ORCID
Venue
Clinical Psychology Review
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-02
Volume
83
Pages
101937
ISSN
0272-7358 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101937
OpenAlex
W3094058103
Cited by
31
References
34
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4
FWCI
0.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Clinical Psychology Review (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Spiral (Imperial College London) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Bipolar Disorder and Treatment
Keywords
borderline personality disorder, brief psychological intervention, brief psychotherapy, additional support, social functioning, self-harm, suicidal behavior, mood, treatment discontinuation, intervention delivery mode
MeSH terms
Psychosocial Intervention, Adult, Borderline Personality Disorder, Humans, Psychotherapy, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Self-Injurious Behavior, Suicidal Ideation

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