Citation

Steuwe C, Rullkötter N, Ertl V, Berg M, Neuner F, Beblo T, Driessen M. BMC Psychiatry 2016; 16(1): e4254.

Affiliation

Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Bethel, Bielefeld, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group - BMC)

DOI

10.1186/s12888-016-0969-4

PMID

27439618

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This pilot study focused on the feasibility and potential effectiveness of a protocol based on Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) that was integrated into a standard inpatient program to treat patients with comorbid Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

METHODS: Eleven patients (1 male, 10 female) without previous stabilization periods or the absence of intentional self-injury received NET during a ten-week inpatient program. Patients were assessed again at post-treatment and a 12-month follow-up.

RESULTS: Drop-out rates during treatment were low, with 90.9 % completing NET. Furthermore, acceptance of NET was high, with only one patient rejecting treatment. The program was safe because it did not lead to aggravations in symptom severity at either the post-treatment or 12-month follow-up. Additionally, the rate of self-harming behaviors throughout the treatment phase was low (18.2 %). In fact, treatment was associated with positive effects on PTSD and BPD symptom severity as well as secondary outcome measures, including depression, dissociation and quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS: The present study found that NET is feasible and safe in an inpatient setting for treating highly burdened patients with BPD and PTSD. There is also evidence for the potential effectiveness of NET in this highly burdened population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02517723. Registered 6 January 2014.

Language: en