Change in Attachment Patterns and Reflective Function in a Randomized Control Trial of Transference-Focused Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality Disorder

2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 ◽  
pp. 66-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.C. Markowitz
2015 ◽  
Vol 207 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melitta Fischer-Kern ◽  
Stephan Doering ◽  
Svenja Taubner ◽  
Susanne Hörz ◽  
Johannes Zimmermann ◽  
...  

SummaryBorderline personality disorder is associated with deficits in personality functioning and mentalisation. In a randomised controlled trial 104 people with borderline personality disorder received either transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) or treatment by experienced community therapists. Among other outcome variables, mentalisation was assessed by means of the Reflective Functioning Scale (RF Scale). Findings revealed only significant improvements in reflective function in the TFP group within 1 year of treatment. The between-group effect was of medium size (d = 0.45). Improvements in reflective function were significantly correlated with improvements in personality organisation.


Author(s):  
David Grunwald ◽  
Erica Robinson ◽  
Sarah Fineberg

This chapter provides a summary of a landmark study on borderline personality disorder. How does transference-focused psychotherapy, supportive therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy compare in the treatment of borderline personality disorder? Starting with that question, the chapter describes the basics of this study, including funding sources, study location, who was studied, and how many patients participated in the study. The study design is described, as well as the study intervention, follow-up, endpoints, results, and finally a discussion of criticisms and limitations. The chapter briefly reviews other relevant studies and information, discusses implications, and concludes with a relevant clinical case.


2010 ◽  
Vol 196 (5) ◽  
pp. 389-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Doering ◽  
Susanne Hörz ◽  
Michael Rentrop ◽  
Melitta Fischer-Kern ◽  
Peter Schuster ◽  
...  

BackgroundTransference-focused psychotherapy is a manualised treatment for borderline personality disorder.AimsTo compare transference-focused psychotherapy with treatment by experienced community psychotherapists.MethodIn a randomised controlled trial (NCT00714311) 104 female out-patients were treated for 1 year with either transference-focused psychotherapy or by an experienced community psychotherapist.ResultsSignificantly fewer participants dropped out of the transference-focused psychotherapy group (38.5% v. 67.3%) and also significantly fewer attempted suicide (d = 0.8, P = 0.009). Transference-focused psychotherapy was significantly superior in the domains of borderline symptomatology (d = 1.6, P = 0.001), psychosocial functioning (d = 1.0, P = 0.002), personality organisation (d = 1.0, P = 0.001) and psychiatric in-patient admissions (d = 0.5, P = 0.001). Both groups improved significantly in the domains of depression and anxiety and the transference-focused psychotherapy group in general psychopathology, all without significant group differences (d = 0.3–0.5). Self-harming behaviour did not change in either group.ConclusionsTransference-focused psychotherapy is more efficacious than treatment by experienced community psychotherapists in the domains of borderline symptomatology, psychosocial functioning, and personality organisation. Moreover, there is preliminary evidence for a superiority in the reduction of suicidality and need for psychiatric in-patient treatment.


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