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Open Access 01-12-2018 | Study protocol

Effectiveness of iconic therapy for the reduction of borderline personality disorder symptoms among suicidal youth: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Authors: Silvia Hurtado-Santiago, José Guzmán-Parra, Rosa M. Bersabé, Fermín Mayoral

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Background

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is associated with an intensive use of mental health services, even in the absence of a full diagnosis. Early symptom detection and intervention may help alleviate adverse long-term outcomes. Iconic Therapy is an innovative manual-driven psychotherapy that treats BPD symptoms in a specific and intensive manner. Preliminary results are promising and the indication is that Iconic Therapy may be effective in reducing BPD symptoms. The aim of this study is to assess how effective Iconic Therapy is compared to Structured Support Therapy in a real clinical setting.

Methods/Design

Our study will be a controlled 12-month pragmatic, two-armed RCT. A total of 72 young people (15 to 25 years old) with suicidal ideation/self-injuring behaviour and BPD traits and symptoms will participate in the study. The subjects will be randomised into two groups: Iconic Therapy or Structured Support Therapy. The participants will be assigned to either group on a 1:1 basis. Both the Iconic Therapy and the Structured Support Therapy programmes consist of 11 weekly sessions delivered by two trained psychologists in a group format of between 8 to 12 outpatients. The primary outcome will be measured by the change in symptom severity. Secondary outcomes include changes in suicidal ideation/ behaviour, non-suicidal self-injury, maladjustment to daily life and cost-effective analysis. The primary outcome will be a decrease in the severity of BPD symptoms as assessed by the Borderline Symptom List (BSL-23). For the clinical evaluation, three study assessments will take place: at baseline, after treatment and at 12-month follow-up. We hypothesise that patients attending the Iconic Therapy group will show a significantly higher reduction in symptoms than those in the Structured Support Therapy group. Data will be analysed using generalised estimating equation (GEE) models.

Discussion

By responding to the need for briefer and more comprehensive therapies for BPD, we foresee that Iconic Therapy may provide an alternative treatment whose specific therapeutic principles, visually represented on icons, will overcome classical Structured Support Therapy at reducing BPD symptoms.

Trial registration

NCT03011190

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Title: Effectiveness of iconic therapy for the reduction of borderline personality disorder symptoms among suicidal youth: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Silvia Hurtado-Santiago
José Guzmán-Parra
Rosa M. Bersabé
Fermín Mayoral
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1857-x

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Effectiveness of iconic therapy for the reduction of borderline personality disorder symptoms among suicidal youth: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Background

Methods/Design

Discussion

Trial registration

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods/Design

Discussion

Trial registration

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