Group interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT-G) for borderline personality disorder: A randomized controlled study

Recent evidence supported the notion that add-on group therapy should be provided to individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) who already undergo individual psychotherapy. The present 20 week study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the adjunction of group interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT-G) to individual interpersonal psychotherapy adapted for BPD revised (IPT-BPD-R) in comparison with individual IPT-BPD-R alone in a group of BPD patients. In addition, demographical and clinical characteristics that can be considered predictors of response to add-on group therapy were investigated. Forty-six patients were randomly assigned to 1) IPT-BPD-R plus IPT-G or to 2) IPT-BPD-R in the waiting list for IPT-G. Patients were assessed at baseline and after 20 weeks with: the Clinical Global Impression Scale, Severity item (CGI-S); the Social Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS); the Satisfaction Profile (SAT-P); the Borderline Personality Disorder Severity Index (BPDSI); the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS); the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short Form (CTQ-SF); the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-32); and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET). Statistical analyses included: ANOVA for repeated measures to compare score changes of the rating scales within groups (trial duration) and between groups (treatment modalities), and multiple regression analysis to identify which clinical factors are significantly and independently related to the difference of BPDSI score between baseline and week 20 (Delta BPDSI). The significance level was P <= 0.05. Both significant within-subjects effects (duration) and between-subjects effects (treatment modalities) were found for the following rating scales: MOAS; BPDSI items feelings of emptiness, outbursts of anger, and affective instability; RMET; SAT-P items work and sleep, food, free time; and IIP-32 scale domineering/controlling. At the multiple regression analysis BPDSI item impulsivity, RMET, and the subscale socially inhibited of the IIP32 were significantly and independently related to Delta BPDSI score. In conclusion, the add-on of IPT-G produced higher improvement in core BPD symptoms, social cognition, a dysfunctional interpersonal style, and subjective quality of life. Subjects who were less impulsive, less socially inhibited, and with higher abilities in social cognition obtained greater benefits from the adjunction of group therapy. Clinical trials registration number: ACTRN12623000002684, Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR).

Automated summary

Recent evidence suggests that add-on group therapy can greatly improve core symptoms, social cognition, interpersonal style, and subjective quality of life for individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) who are also undergoing individual psychotherapy. This 20-week study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of group interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT-G) in addition to individual interpersonal psychotherapy adapted for BPD revised (IPT-BPD-R), compared to individual IPT-BPD-R alone. The study also explored demographic and clinical characteristics that could predict response to add-on group therapy.