Effectiveness of Autobiographical Rewriting Workshops on the Socio-Professional Functioning of Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder Undergoing Third-Wave Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial (ICS)

University Hospital Center (CHU)

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Borderline Personality Disorder; Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Treatments: Behavioral: Autobiographical Rewriting Workshops; Behavioral: Non-specific writing workshops

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07199166

RECHMPL24_0016

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study evaluates the effectiveness of autobiographical rewriting workshops combined with third-wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in improving social and professional functioning in individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). BPD affects approximately 2 to 6% of the general population and is frequently associated with suicidal behaviors, unstable relationships, and low self-esteem. This disorder is often linked to early traumatic experiences that impact autobiographical memory and self-perception. While Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a standard treatment for BPD, it does not fully address all the needs of patients.

The aim of this study is to determine whether autobiographical rewriting, which allows individuals to restructure and reinterpret their memories in a more resilient way, can improve autobiographical memory, self-esteem, and reduce emotional symptoms. Participants will be randomized into two groups: one group will undergo autobiographical rewriting workshops in addition to third-wave CBT sessions, while the other group will participate in non-specific writing sessions also in addition to third-wave CBT sessions. The study will compare the two groups to evaluate the effectiveness of autobiographical rewriting workshops in enhancing social and professional well-being.

Expected outcomes include improvements in interpersonal relationships, greater professional stability, and a reduction in emotional symptoms assessed immediately post-intervention, then 3 months and 6 months after. This study may offer a complementary therapeutic approach to existing treatments, helping patients manage their symptoms more effectively and improve their quality of life.

Enrollment: 140 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Subjects with borderline personality disorder (assessed by SCID-2),
• Subjects aged between 18 and 45 years (inclusive).

Exclusion criteria

• Psychotic disorder (assessed by SCID),
• Subjects deprived of their liberty (by judicial or administrative decision, or involuntary hospitalization),
• Subjects under legal protection (guardianship, curatorship, or judicial protection),
• Subjects not affiliated with a social security,
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women,
• Inability to understand the nature, purpose, and methodology of the study,
• Inability to understand, speak, or write French,
• Failure to provide informed oral consent to participate in the study.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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140 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

INTERVENTION GROUP

Experimental group

Description:

Sessions of maintenance in third-wave CBT as part of the usual treatment plan (10 weekly sessions of 45 minutes over 10 weeks) + Autobiographical Rewriting Workshops (10 autobiographical rewriting sessions over 10 weeks, one session per week)

Treatment:

Behavioral: Autobiographical Rewriting Workshops

CONTROL GROUP

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Third-wave CBT maintenance sessions as part of the usual treatment plan (10 weekly sessions of 45 minutes over 10 weeks) + Non-specific Writing Workshops (10 autobiographical non-specific writing sessions over 10 weeks, one session per week)

Treatment:

Behavioral: Non-specific writing workshops