A new time limited psychotherapy for BPD: preliminary results of a randomized and controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Psychic Representation focused Psychotherapy (PRFP) is a new time limited dynamic psychotherapy for the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder. It is a psychodynamic technique based on brief psychoanalytic psychotherapy principles. It is manualized and designed to be applied in the framework of public health care services. A randomized and controlled study with a sample of 53 patients was conducted to assess PRFP efficacy. This work presents the results for the first 44 trial completers at termination of treatment. METHODS: Both groups, the experimental (n= 18) and control group (n= 26), received treatment as usual. The experimental group received an additional 20 (PRFP) sessions, conducted by four therapists with homogenous characteristics specifically trained in this technique. The main outcome variables measures were: Severity global index of SCL-90-R, Barrat Impulsivity Scale scores and Social Adaptation (SASS score). Baseline and final condition at termination was compared. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results showed significantly better outcomes for the experimental group in all the main variables measured and in most of the secondary ones. PRFP may represent an important contribution for the treatment of BPD patients. Follow-up assessment at 6 and 12 months is planned.

Una nueva Psicoterapia Breve para Trastornos límite de la personalidad. Resultados preliminares de un Ensayo controlado y aleatorizado / A new Time Limited Psychotherapy for BPD: Preliminary Results of a Randomized and Controlled Trial

Introducción: La Psicoterapia centrada en la Representación Psíquica (PCRP) es una nueva psicoterapia breve manualizada para los Trastornos Límite de la personalidad (TLP). Es una técnica psicodinámica basada en los principios de las psicoterapias psicoanalíticas breves, está manualizada y diseñada para su utilización en los servicios públicos. Con el objetivo de evaluar su eficacia en pacientes ambulatorios se realizó un estudio randomizado y controlado con una muestra total de 53 pacientes. En este trabajo se presenta la metodología del estudio y los resultados preliminares de los primeros 44 pacientes al final del periodo de intervención. Metodología: Ambos grupos, experimental (n= 18) y control (n= 26), recibieron tratamiento convencional, el grupo experimental recibió además 20 sesiones de PCRP realizada por cuatro terapeutas con características homogéneas y especialmente entrenados. Las variables principales de resultados fueron: Índice global de gravedad del SCL-90-R y puntuaciones de la escala de Impulsividad de Barrat y Adaptación Social SASS, comparándose entre la situación basal y al final de la intervención en cada grupo y en ambos. Los resultados preliminares resultaron significativamente superiores en el grupo experimental en las variables principales yen la mayoría de las secundarias. Conclusiones: La PCRP puede suponer un avance importante para el tratamiento de los TLP si se confirman los resultados preliminares con los datos finales del estudio. Éstos se presentarán una vez finalizado el mismo incluyendo la evaluación en el seguimiento a los seis y doce meses (AU)

Introduction: Psychic Representation focused Psychotherapy (PRFP) is a new time limited dynamic psychotherapy for the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder. It is a psychodynamic technique based on brief psychoanalytic psychotherapy principles. It is manualized and designed to be applied in the framework of public health care services. A randomized and controlled study with a sample of 53 patients was conducted to assess PRFP efficacy. This work presents the results for the first 44 trial completers at termination of treatment. Methods: Both groups, the experimental (n= 18) and control group (n= 26), received treatment as usual. The experimental group received an additional 20 (PRFP) sessions, conducted by four therapists with homogenous characteristics specifically trained in this technique. The main outcome variables measures were: Severity global index of SCL-90-R, Barrat Impulsivity Scale scores and Social Adaptation (SASS score). Baseline and final condition at termination was compared. Conclusions: Preliminary results showed significantly better outcomes for the experimental group in all the main variables measured and in most of the secondary ones. PRFP may represent an important contribution for the treatment of BPD patients. Follow-up assessment at 6 and 12 months is planned (AU)