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Table 1 Study characteristics

From: Effectiveness of outpatient and community treatments for people with a diagnosis of ‘personality disorder’: systematic review and meta-analysis

Study ID

Region

Setting

Sample††

Diagnosis

Intervention

Comparison

Outcome

Measure

Timepoints

Length (months)

Intensity (per week)

Effect size EOT (Hedge’s g) †††

Abbass 2008 [53]

North America

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 14

n = 13

Personality Disorder

Intensive short-term Dynamic Psychotherapy

TAU

Psychiatric symptoms

BSI

EOT

8

1 session

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 1.00 (0.20, 1.80)

Amianto 2011 [54]

Europe

Generic mental health service

n = 18

n = 17

BPD

Sequential Brief Adlerian

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

TAU

Psychiatric symptoms

CGI

EOT

6-month FU

12-month FU

12

1 session

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0 (−0.68, 0.68)

6-month: − 0.05 (− 0.73, 0.63)

12-month: − 0.31 (− 0.99, 0.38)

Andreoli 2016 [55]

Europe

Specialist team

n = 140

n = 30

BPD

Abandonment Psychotherapy

TAU

Depressive Symptoms

Psychiatric symptoms

HRSD

CGI

EOT

3

2 sessions

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: 0.59 (0.19, 0.99)

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.81 (0.41, 1.22)

Arnevik 2009 /Antonsen 2014 [56, 57]

Europe

Specialist day service

n = 59

n = 54

Personality Disorder

Step-down Treatment

Active

Depressive symptoms

Psychiatric symptoms

PD Symptoms

BDI

SCL-90

SCID-II

8-month FU

18-month FU

36-month FU

72-month FU

4.5

3–4 sessions

Depressive symptoms:

8-month: 0.21 (−0.18, 0.60)

18-month: 0.01 (− 0.32, 0.51)

36-month: − 0.23 (− 0.67, 0,21)

72-month: 0.04 (− 0.40, 0.48)

Psychiatric symptoms:

8-month: 0 (− 0.39, 0.39)

18-month: − 0.12 (− 0.53, 0.29)

36-month: − 0.17 (− 0.60, 0.27)

72-month: 0.28 (− 0.16, 0.73)

PD symptoms:

36-month: − 0.41 (− 0.85, 0.03)

72-month: − 0.05 (− 0.49, 0.39)

Bamelis 2014 [58]

Europe

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 147

n = 135

Personality Disorder

Schema Therapy

TAU

PD Symptoms

SCID-II

12-month FU

12

1 session

PD symptoms:

12-month: 0.37 (0.14, 0.61)

Bateman 1999 [59]

Europe

Specialist day service

n = 19

n = 19

BPD

MBT

TAU

Anxiety symptoms

Depressive Symptoms

Psychiatric symptoms

STAI

BDI

SCL-90

EOT

18

6 sessions (5 days)

Anxiety symptoms:

EOT: 1.26 (0.56, 1.95)

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: 1.98 (1.21, 2.76)

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.39 (− 0.26, 1.03)

Bateman 2001/ Bateman 2008 [60, 61]

Europe

Specialist day service

n = 22

n = 22

BPD

MBT

TAU

Anxiety symptoms

Depressive Symptoms

Psychiatric symptoms

BPD symptoms

STAI

BDI

SCL-90

ZAN-BPD

6-month FU

12-month FU

18-month FU

60-month FU

18

6 sessions (5 days pw)

Anxiety symptoms:

6-month: 0.88 (0.19, 1.56)

12-month: 1.23 (0.52, 1.94)

18-month: 2.39 (1.53, 3.25)

Depressive symptoms:

6-month: 1.28 (0.58, 1.99)

12-month: 1.16 (0.47, 1.86)

18-month: 1.15 (0.46, 1.84)

Psychiatric symptoms:

6-month: 1.04 (0.33, 1.74)

12-month: 1.63 (0.87, 2.39)

18-month: 2.09 (1.27, 2.91)

BPD symptoms:

60-month: 1.79 (1.02, 2.57)

Bateman 2009 [62]

Europe

Specialist team

n = 71

n = 63

BPD

MBT

Active

Depressive Symptoms

Psychiatric symptoms

BDI

SCL-90

EOT

18

2 sessions (combined)

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: 0.45 (0.10, 0.79)

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.67 (0.33, 1.02)

Berthoud 2017 [63]

Europe

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 25

n = 25

BPD

Motive-Oriented Therapeutic Relationship

Active

Psychiatric symptoms

BPD symptoms

OQ-45

BSL-23

EOT

2.5

1 session

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.53 (−0.08, 1.13)

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 0.01 (− 0.66, 0.68)

Blum 2008 [64]

North America

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 65

n = 59

BPD

STEPPS

TAU

Depressive Symptoms

Psychiatric symptoms

BPD symptoms

BDI

SCL-90/ CGI

ZAN-BPD/ BEST

EOT

12-month FU

5

2-hour weekly session

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: 0.29 (−0.16, 0.73)

12-month: − 0.03 (− 0.47, 0.41)

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.36 (− 0.09, 0.81)

12-month: 0.38 (− 0.06, 0.83)

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 0.54 (0.09, 1.00)

12-month: − 0.03 (− 0.48, 0.41)

Borschmann 2013 [65]

Europe

Generic mental health service

n = 46

n = 42

BPD

Joint Crisis Plans

TAU

Anxiety symptoms

Depressive Symptoms

HADS-A

HADS-D

6-month FU

1 session

1 session

Anxiety symptoms:

6 month: − 0.38 (− 0.85, 0.08)

Depressive Symptoms:

6-month: 0.06 (− 0.41, 0.53)

Bos 2010 [66]

Europe

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 42

n = 37

BPD

STEPPS

TAU

Psychiatric symptoms

BPD symptoms

SCL-90

BPD-40

EOT

6-month FU

6

1 session

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.60 (0.04, 1.16)

6-month: 0.33 (− 0.18, 0.84)

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 0.55 (0, 1.11)

6-month: 0.34 (− 0.17, 0.84)

Bos 2011 [67]

Europe

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 84

n = 84

BPD

STEPPS

TAU

Psychiatric symptoms

BPD symptoms

SCL-90

BPD Checklist

EOT

6-month FU

6

1 session

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.63 (0.25, 1.01)

6-month: 0.39 (0.02, 0.75)

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 0.34 (− 0.03, 0.71)

6-month: 0.23 (− 0.13, 0.60)

Clarke 2013 [68]

Europe

Specialist team

n = 38

n = 40

Personality Disorder

CAT

TAU

Psychiatric symptoms

SCL-90

EOT

10

1 session

Psychiatric symptoms:

ΕΟΤ: 0.84 (0.17, 1.50)

Clarke 2014 [69]

Europe

Specialist team

n = 30

n = 31

Personality Disorder

ACT

TAU

Depressive Symptoms

Psychiatric symptoms

BDI-II

SCL-90

EOT

6-month FU

4

1 session (2 hours)

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: 0.16 (−0.48, 0.81)

6-month: 0.46 (− 0.19, 1.11)

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.24 (− 0.39, 0.86)

6-month: 0.35 (− 0.28, 0.98)

Cottraux 2009 [70]

Europe

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 33

n = 32

BPD

Cognitive Therapy

Active

Anxiety symptoms

Depressive Symptoms

Psychiatric symptoms

BAI

BDI

CGI

EOT

12-month FU

12

1 session

Anxiety symptoms:

EOT: 0.51 (−0.13, 1.16)

12-month: 0.94 (0.04, 1.85)

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: − 0.10 (− 0.73, 0.54)

12-month: 0.74 (− 0.15, 1.62)

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.30 (− 0.34, 0.94)

12-month: 0.76 (− 0.13, 1.65)

Davidson 2006 /2010 [71, 72]

Europe

Generic mental health service

n = 54

n = 52

BPD

CBT

TAU

Anxiety symptoms

Depressive Symptoms

Psychiatric symptoms

PD Symptoms

STAI

BDI-II

BSI

SCID-II

EOT

12-month FU

60-month FU

12

1 session

Anxiety symptoms:

EOT: 0.04 (−0.35, 0.44)

12-month: 0.23 (− 0.17, 0.62)

60-month: 0.20 (− 0.25, 0.66)

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: 0.11 (− 0.29, 0.50)

12-month: 0.15 (− 0.24, 0.54)

60-month: − 0.02 (− 0.47, 0.44)

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.03 (− 0.36, 0.43)

12-month: 0.12 (− 0.27, 0.51)

60-month: − 0.07 (− 0.52, 0.39)

PD symptoms:

60-month: 0.09 (− 0.41, 0.60)

De Saeger 2014 [73]

Europe

Specialist team

n = 37

n = 37

Personality Disorder

Therapeutic assessment

Active

Psychiatric symptoms

BSI

EOT

1 session

1 session

Psychiatric Symptoms:

EOT: − 0.12 (− 0.58, 0.33)

Doering 2010 [74]

Europe

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 52

n = 52

BPD

Transference-Focused Psychotherapy

TAU

Anxiety symptoms

Depressive Symptoms

Psychiatric symptoms

BPD symptoms

STAI

BDI

BSI

No of DSM-IV criteria

EOT

12

2 sessions

Anxiety symptoms:

EOT: − 0.15 (− 0.53, 0.24)

Depressive Symptoms:

EOT: − 0.12 (− 0.51, 0.26)

Psychiatric Symptoms:

EOT: − 0.08 (− 0.46, 0.31)

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 0.55 (0.16, 0.95)

Emmelkamp 2006 [75]

Europe

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 21

n = 8

Avoidant Personality Disorder

CBT

Waiting List

Anxiety symptoms

LWASQ

EOT

6

1 session

Anxiety symptoms:

EOT: − 0.02 (− 0.85, 0.81)

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 23

n = 8

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Brief Dynamic Therapy

Waiting List

Anxiety symptoms

LWASQ

EOT

6

1 session

Anxiety symptoms:

EOT: −0.19 (−1.00, 0.62)

Evans 1999 [76]

Europe

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 18

n = 16

BPD

Manual-assisted CBT

TAU

Anxiety symptoms

Depressive Symptoms

HADS-A

HADS-D

EOT

6

1 session

Anxiety symptoms:

EOT: 0.62 (−0.09, 1.34)

Depressive Symptoms:

EOT: 0.87 (0.14, 1.60)

Farrell 2009 [77]

North America

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 16

n = 16

BPD

Schema Therapy

TAU

Psychiatric symptoms

BPD symptoms

SCL-90

Borderline Syndrome Index

EOT

6-month FU

8

1 session

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 1.06 (0.26, 1.86)

6-month: 1.60 (0.74, 2.46)

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 1.66 (0.79, 2.53)

6-month: 2.24 (1.29, 3.19)

Feigenbaum 2012 [78]

Europe

Specialist team

n = 26

n = 16

Personality Disorder

DBT

TAU

Depressive symptoms

Psychiatric symptoms

BDI-II

CORE-OM

EOT

12

3.5 hours

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: −0.31 (−0.94, 0.33)

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: − 0.17 (− 0.80, 0.46)

Gratz 2006 [79]

North America

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 12

n = 10

BPD

Emotion Regulation Group Intervention

TAU

Anxiety symptoms

Depressive symptoms

BPD symptoms

DAS-A

DAS-D

BEST

EOT

4

1 session

Anxiety symptoms:

EOT: 0.89 (0.02, 1.77)

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: 1.20 (0.29, 2.11)

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 1.02 (0.12, 1.91)

Gratz 2014 [80]

North America

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 31

n = 30

BPD

Emotion Regulation Group Intervention

TAU

Anxiety symptoms

Depressive symptoms

BPD symptoms

DAS-A

BDI-II

ZAN-BPD

EOT

3.5

1 session

Anxiety symptoms:

EOT: 1.73 (1.14, 2.31)

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: 1.06 (0.52, 1.59)

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 1.88 (1.27, 2.48)

Gregory 2008/ 2010 [81, 82]

North America

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 15

n = 15

BPD

Dynamic Deconstructive Psychotherapy

TAU

Depressive symptoms

BPD symptoms

BDI

BEST

EOT

18-month FU

12

1 session

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: 0.50 (−0.42, 1.41)

18-month: 0.67 (− 0.34, 1.67)

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 0.43 (− 0.49, 1.34)

18-month: 0.57 (− 0.43, 1.57)

Haeyen 2018 [83]

Europe

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 38

n = 36

Personality Disorder

Art Therapy

Waiting List

Psychiatric symptoms

OQ-45

EOT

5-week FU

2.5

1 session

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 1.23 (0.66, 1.79)

5-week: 1.35 (0.77, 1.92)

Harned 2014 [84]

North America

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 17

n = 9

BPD

DBT with DBT Prolonged Exposure

Active

Anxiety symptoms

Depressive Symptoms

Psychiatric symptoms

HAM-A

HRSD

BSI

ΕΟΤ

3-month FU

12

5 hours pw

Anxiety symptoms:

EOT: 0.93 (−0.37, 2.24)

3-month: 0.38 (− 0.87, 1.63)

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: 1.00 (− 0.32, 2.31)

3-month: 1.07 (− 0.26, 2.39)

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 1.40 (0.01, 2.78)

3-month: 0.60 (− 0.67, 1.87)

Hellerstein 1998 [85]

North America

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 25

n = 24

Personality Disorder

Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy

Active

Psychiatric symptoms

SCL-90

EOT 6-month FU

10

1 session

Psychiatric symptoms

EOT: −0.54 (−1.32, 0.25)

6-month: − 0.37 (−1.19, 0.44)

Jorgensen 2013/ 2014 [86, 87]

Europe

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 74

n = 37

BPD

MBT

Active

Anxiety symptoms

Depressive Symptoms

Psychiatric symptoms

BPD symptoms

PD Symptoms

STAI

BDI

SCL-90

SCID-BPD

SCID-II

EOT

6-month FU

18-month FU

24

2 sessions

Anxiety symptoms:

EOT: 0.24 (− 0.26, 0.75)

6-month: 0.69 (0.08, 1.30)

18-month: 0.58 (− 0.01, 1.17)

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: 0.32 (− 0.18, 0.82)

6-month: 0.38 (− 0.22, 0.98)

18-month: 0.33 (− 0.26, 0.91)

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.25 (− 0.26, 0.75)

6-month: 0.27 (− 0.33, 0.87)

18-month: 0.39 (− 0.20, 0.97)

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 0.33 (− 0.17, 0.84)

18-month: 0.12 (− 0.46, 0.70)

PD symptoms:

18-month: − 0.08 (− 0.89, 0.73)

Khabir 2018 [88]

Asia

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 12

n = 6

BPD

MBT

No intervention

BPD symptoms

BPDSI-IV

EOT

2-month FU

3

2 sessions

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 1.33 (0.26, 2.41)

2-month: 2.05 (0.86, 3.24)

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 12

n = 6

BPD

DBT

No intervention

BPD symptoms

BPDSI-IV

EOT

2-month FU

3

2 sessions

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 1.69 (0.57, 2.82)

2-month: 2.22 (1.00, 3.44)

Koons 2001 [89]

North America

Specialist day services

n = 14

n = 14

BPD

DBT

TAU

Anxiety symptoms

Depressive Symptoms,

BPD symptoms

HAM-A

BDI

No of DSM-IV criteria

EOT

6

2.5 hours

Anxiety symptoms:

EOT: 1.22 (0.27, 2.18)

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: 1.12 (0.18, 2.06)

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 0.29, (−0.59, 1.17)

Kramer 2014 [90]

Europe

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 42

n = 43

BPD

Motive-Oriented Therapeutic Relationship

Active

Psychiatric symptoms

BPD symptoms

OQ-45

BSL-23

EOT

3

1 session

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: −0.14, (−0.60, 0.31)

BPD symptoms:

EOT: − 0.07 (− 0.53, 0.39)

Kramer 2016 [91]

Europe

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 21

n = 20

BPD

DBT

TAU

Psychiatric symptoms

OQ-45

EOT

5

1 session

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.35 (−0.26, 0.97)

Laurenssen 2018 [92]

Europe

Specialist day service

n = 54

n = 51

BPD

Day Hospital MBT

Active

Depressive Symptoms

Psychiatric symptoms

BPD symptoms

BDI

BSI

BPDSI-IV

EOT

18

5 hours, 5 days

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: −0.10 (−0.51, 0.31)

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: − 0.18 (− 0.58, 0.23)

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 0.07 (− 0.34, 0.47)

Leppanen 2016 [93]

Europe

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 24

n = 47

BPD

Community Treatment by Experts

TAU

BPD symptoms

BPDSI-IV

EOT

12

1 session

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 0.35 (−0.22, 0.93)

McMain 2012 [94]

North America

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 90

n = 90

BPD

DBT

Active

Depressive Symptoms

Psychiatric symptoms

BPD symptoms

BDI-II

SCL-90

ZAN-BPD

EOT

6-month FU

12-month FU

18-month FU

24-month FU

12

3.5 hours

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: 0.17 (−0.12, 0.47)

6-month: 0.13 (− 0.16, 0.42)

12-month: − 0.04 (− 0.33, 0.26)

18-month: − 0.09 (− 0.38, 0.20)

24-month: − 0.39 (− 0.68, − 0.09)

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.02 (− 0.27, 0.32)

6-month: 0.09 (− 0.20, 0.38)

12-month: 0 (− 0.29, 0.29)

18-month: − 0.10 (− 0.39, 0.20)

24-month: − 0.26 (− 0.55, 0.03)

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 0.04 (− 0.25, 0.33)

6-month: 0.25 (− 0.05, 0.54)

12-month: − 0.01 (− 0.31, 0.28)

18-month: 0.19 (− 0.11, 0.48)

24-month: − 0.27 (− 0.57, 0.02)

McMain 2017 [95]

North America

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 42

n = 42

BPD

Brief DBT Skills Training

Waiting List

Depressive Symptoms

Psychiatric symptoms

BPD symptoms

BDI

SCL-90

BSL-23

EOT

3-month FU

5

1 session

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: 0.53 (0.09, 0.97)

3-month: 0.10 (− 0.33, 0.53)

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.76 (0.31, 1.20)

3-month: 0.27 (− 0.16, 0.70)

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 0.71 (0.27, 1.15)

3-month: 0.20 (− 0.23, 0.63)

Morton 2012 [96]

Oceania

Specialist team

n = 21

n = 20

BPD

ACT Group Treatment

TAU

Anxiety symptoms

Depressive Symptoms

BPD symptoms

DASS-A

DASS-D

BEST

EOT

3

1 session (2 hours)

Anxiety symptoms:

EOT: 0.66 (0.03, 1.29)

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: 0.67 (0.05, 1.30)

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 1.22 (0.55, 1.89)

Pascual 2015 [97]

Europe

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 36

n = 34

BPD

Cognitive Rehabilitation

Active

Anxiety symptoms

Depressive Symptoms

BPD symptoms

HAM-A

MADRS

BSL-23

EOT

6-month FU

4

1 session (2 hours)

Anxiety symptoms:

EOT: − 0.09 (− 0.67, 0.49)

6-month: − 0.39 (−1.00, 0.22)

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: − 0.29 (− 0.87, 0.29)

6-month: − 1.05 (− 1.69, − 0.40)

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 0.15 (− 0.73, 0.43)

6-month: 0.19 (− 0.42, 0.79)

Pearce 2017 [98]

Europe

Specialist day service

n = 35

n = 35

Personality Disorder

Democratic Therapeutic community

TAU

Psychiatric symptoms

GHQ

EOT

24

5 to 15 hours

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.72 (0.07, 1.38)

Popolo 2019 [99]

Europe

Generic mental health service

n = 10

n = 10

Personality Disorder

Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy

TAU

Psychiatric symptoms

CORE-OM

EOT

4

1 session (2 hours)

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 1.06 (0.07, 2.06)

Priebe 2012 [100]

Europe

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 40

n = 40

Personality Disorder

DBT

TAU

Psychiatric symptoms

BPD symptoms

BSI

ZAN-BPD

EOT

12

3.5 hours plus telephone consult.

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.28 (−0.23, 0.79)

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 0.38 (− 0.09, 0.86)

Ranger 2009 [101]

Europe

Generic mental health service

n = 28

n = 24

Other Diagnoses/ symptoms

Nidotherapy

TAU

Psychiatric symptoms

BPRS

EOT

12

1 session

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.44 (− 0.21, 1.10)

Reneses 2013 [102]

Europe

Generic mental health service

n = 25

n = 28

BPD

Psychic Representation Focused Psychotherapy

TAU

Anxiety symptoms

Depressive Symptoms,

Psychiatric symptoms

BPD symptoms

STAI

MADRS

SCL-90

ZAN-BPD

EOT

6

1 session

Anxiety symptoms:

EOT: 0.52 (−0.09, 1.13)

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: 0.56 (− 0.05, 1.17)

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.55 (− 0.06, 1.16)

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 0.82 (0.19, 1.44)

Soler 2009 [103]

Europe

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 29

n = 30

BPD

DBT Skills Training

TAU

Anxiety symptoms

HAM-A

HRSD

EOT

3

1 session (2 hours)

Anxiety symptoms:

EOT: 0.65 (− 0.11, 1.41)

Depressive Symptoms,

Psychiatric symptoms

BPD symptoms

SCL-90

CGI-BPD

Depressive symptoms:

EOT: 1.01 (0.23, 1.80)

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.40 (−0.35, 1.15)

BPD symptoms:

EOT: 0.90 (0.13, 1.68)

Svartberg 2004 [104]

Europe & North America

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 25

n = 25

BPD

Short term Dynamic Psychotherapy

TAU

Psychiatric symptoms

PD Symptoms

SCL-90

MCMI

EOT 6-month FU

12-month FU

24-month FU

10

1 session

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.11 (−0.45, 0.66)

6-month: 0.42 (− 0.16, 1.00)

12-month: 0.19 (− 0.39, 0.77)

24-month: 0.10 (− 0.49, 0.69)

PD symptoms:

EOT: 0.25 (− 0.32, 0.81)

24-month: 0.17 (− 0.40, 0.73)

Vinnars 2005 [105]

Europe

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 76

n = 80

Personality Disorder

Psychodynamic Therapy

TAU

Psychiatric symptoms

PD Symptoms

SCL-90

No of DSM-IV Axis II criteria

EOT

12-month FU

12

1 session

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.18 (−0.20, 0.55)

12-month: 0.14 (− 0.21, 0.49)

PD symptoms:

EOT: 0.20 (− 0.17, 0.57)

12-month: 0.07 (− 0.29, 0.42)

Winston 1994 [106]

North America

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 30

n = 13

Personality Disorder

Brief Adaptive Psychotherapy

Waiting List

Psychiatric symptoms

SCL-90

EOT

10

1 session

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 1.27 (0.56, 1.97)

North America

Standalone outpatient intervention

n = 25

n = 13

Personality Disorder

Short-term Dynamic Psychotherapy

Waiting List

Psychiatric symptoms

SCL-90

EOT

10

1 session

Psychiatric symptoms:

EOT: 0.71 (0.02, 1.40)

  1. Studies containing follow-up data were merged with the original studies. ††Number of participants allocated to each group. The first row reports the number of participants included in the experimental (intervention) group, while the second row included the number of participants allocated to the control group. †††Effect sizes of each study were transformed to Hedges’ g for the purposes of the meta-analysis and are reported as such with their corresponding 95% CIs. Abbreviations: EOT End of Treatment, FU Follow-up, BPD Borderline Personality Disorder, PD Personality Disorder, TAU Treatment as Usual, DBT Dialectical Behavior Therapy, ACT Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, ΜΒΤ Mentalization-Based Treatment, CBT Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, CAT Cognitive Analytic Therapy, STEPPS Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving, BSI Brief Symptom Inventory, CGI Clinical Global Impression, HRSD Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, BDI Beck’s Depression Inventory, SCL-90 Symptom Checklist 90, SCID-II Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Disorders, STAI State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, ZAN-BPD Zanarini Rating Scale for Borderline Personality Disorder, MCMI Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory, HAM-A Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, MADRS Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, BPRS Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, CORE-OM Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure, GHQ General Health Questionnaire, BSL-23 Borderline Symptom List, BEST Borderline Evaluation of Severity over Time, DASS-(A/D) Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (Anxiety/ Depression), BPDSI Borderline Personality Disorder Severity index, OQ-45 Outcome Questionnaire 45, LWASQ Lehrer Woolfolk Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire, HADS-(A/D) Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Anxiety/ Depression)