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Evaluating the Coordinated National Implementation of DBT in Ireland

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Personality Disorder, Borderline
Interventions
Behavioral: Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
Registration Number
NCT03180541
Lead Sponsor
Health Service Executive, Ireland
Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the coordinated implementation of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy in Community Mental Health Services in Ireland.

There are three main objectives of the current study:

* evaluate the effectiveness of DBT for adults and adolescents attending Community Mental Health Services in multiple sites across Ireland

* conduct an economic evaluation of the coordinated implementation of DBT in community settings in Ireland

* evaluate the implementation initiative by means of quantity, quality and experience of the coordinated implementation

Detailed Description

The National Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Project, Ireland was established in the Republic of Ireland in 2013. The aims of the project were twofold: to implement DBT in Community Mental Health Services across Ireland and to evaluate this coordinated implementation of DBT at a national level.

DBT was initially formulated as a treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) which is typically characterised by patterns of emotional and behavioural dysregulation that often manifests in self-harm and suicidal ideation. DBT is noted to be an intervention with a growing evidence base that demonstrates its effectiveness in treating individuals with BPD. More than a dozen controlled trials have been completed at multiple independent sites. The results of these trials have reported a reduction in suicidal behaviours, inpatient hospitalisations, depression, hopelessness and suicidal ideation among other constructs which individuals with BPD experience.

While the efficacy of DBT has been demonstrated through multiple controlled trials, few studies have examined the effectiveness of DBT in community mental health settings. In particular, no study has evaluated a coordinated national implementation of DBT across multiple sites in a publicly funded health system. The current study aims to evaluate the the coordinated implementation of DBT in Community Mental Health Services in Ireland

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
210
Inclusion Criteria

Adults:

  • Meet criteria for diagnosis of either Borderline Personality Disorder (DSM IV/V) or Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (ICD-10)
  • A persistent pattern of deliberate self-harm with deliberate self-harm behaviour having occurred within the last 6 months OR one suicidal act having occurred within the last 6 months
  • The individual will have discussed the diagnosis with a member of the DBT team and will have expressed an interest in, and commitment to the 12 month programme.

Adolescents:

  • Between/ including the ages of 13 and 18 years
  • Demonstrating emotional behavioural disturbance/ emotional dysregulation
  • A persistent pattern of deliberate self-harm with deliberate self-harm or a suicidal act having occurred within the last 16 weeks OR chronic suicidal ideation
  • the young person and their parent/guardian will have discussed their emotional behavioural disturbance/ emotional dysregulation with a member of the DBT team and will have expressed an interest in, and commitment to the 16 week programme.
Exclusion Criteria

Adults and Adolescents:

  • An active psychosis
  • If the client has severe developmental delays, cognitive impairment or learning disabilities (exceeding mild range)
  • If a clients' substance/drug dependence, eating disorder or any other mental health issue/behaviour is at such a level that it would impede their engaging with any of the modalities of DBT

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Dialectical Behaviour TherapyDialectical Behaviour TherapyParticipants receive the "standard" 12 month DBT programme where all four modes of treatment are delivered including: individual therapy, group skills training, telephone coaching and DBT team consultation
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in self-harm behaviourPre-intervention, 6 months, 12 months (post-intervention) and 18 months (6 months post-intervention)

Change in frequency of self-harm behaviour. Frequency of self-harm behaviour for a six month period will be recorded by the DBT therapist working with each individual by means of clinical file review. Self-harm behaviour frequency is scored on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 = Not at all, 2 = Rarely; 3 = Occasionally, 4 = Often, 5 = Most of the time.

Change in suicidal ideationPre-intervention, 6 months, 12 months (post-intervention) and 18 months (6 months post-intervention)

Questionnaire for Suicidal Ideation (QSI). The QSI is a 6-item self-report questionnaire developed by the researchers to assess suicidal thoughts and ideation.

Change in borderline symptomsPre-intervention, 6 months, 12 months (post-intervention) and 18 months (6 months post-intervention)

Borderline Symptom List (BSL-23). The BSL-23 is a self-report questionnaire which comprises 23 items measuring borderline-typical symptomatology.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in DBT Skill UsePre-intervention, 6 months, 12 months (post-intervention) and 18 months (6 months post-intervention)

DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL). The DBT-WCCL is a 59-item self-report measure which assesses DBT skill use and dysfunctional coping.

Change in hopelessnessPre-intervention, 6 months, 12 months (post-intervention) and 18 months (6 months post-intervention)

Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). The BHS is a 20 item self-report measure which assesses key aspects of hopelessness.

Change in depressionPre-intervention, 6 months, 12 months (post-intervention) and 18 months (6 months post-intervention)

Beck Depression Inventory - Second Edition (BDI-II). The BDI-II is a 21 item self-report measure of symptoms and attitudes related to depression.

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