Brief individual experiential schema therapy in adult outpatients with cluster C personality disorders: Does it work?

This study investigated the effectiveness of brief individual experiential schema therapy (ST) in 12 adult outpatients with cluster C personality disorders (PD) using randomised multiple baseline design. Waitlist period was followed by five explorative sessions, 18 experiential ST sessions, two treatment follow-up (FU) booster sessions and a 6-month FU assessment. Overall well-being (ORS), behavioural treatment goals and negative core beliefs were assessed 60-91 times, global symptomatic distress (BSI) six times. PD severity (SCID-5-PD) was pre-post-analysed. Randomisation and non-parametric tests showed large significant effects (d = 1.08-2.38, r = .53-.66) on all outcomes at treatment-FU and 6-month FU assessment. This is the first study providing preliminary evidence of effectiveness of brief individual experiential ST for patients with cluster C PD, tentatively challenging the common tenet that long treatment duration is required. Due to limitations, replication is recommended.

Trauma-focused EMDR for Personality disorders among Outpatients (TEMPO): study protocol for a multi-centre, single-blind, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Existing recommended treatment options for personality disorders (PDs) are extensive and costly. There is emerging evidence indicating that trauma-focused treatment using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy aimed at resolving memories of individuals' adverse events can be beneficial for this target group within a relatively short time frame. The primary purpose of the present study is to determine the effectiveness of EMDR therapy versus waiting list in reducing PD symptom severity. Furthermore, the effects of EMDR therapy on trauma symptom severity, loss of diagnosis, personal functioning, quality of life, and mental health outcomes will be determined. In addition, the cost-effectiveness of EMDR therapy in the treatment of PDs is investigated. Moreover, predictors of treatment success, symptom deterioration and treatment discontinuation will be assessed. Lastly, experiences with EMDR therapy will be explored. METHOD: In total, 159 patients with a PD will be included in a large multicentre single-blind randomized controlled trial. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Personality Disorders will be used to determine the presence of a PD. Participants will be allocated to either a treatment condition with EMDR therapy (ten biweekly 90-min sessions) or a waiting list. Three months after potential treatment with EMDR therapy, patients can receive treatment as usual for their PD. All participants are subject to single-blinded baseline, post-intervention and 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up assessments. The primary outcome measures are the Assessment of DSM-IV Personality Disorders and the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5. For cost-effectiveness, the Treatment Inventory of Costs in Patients with psychiatric disorders, EuroQol-5D-3L, and the Mental Health Quality of Life Questionnaire will be administered. The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, Brief State Paranoia Checklist and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale will be used to further index trauma symptom severity. Type of trauma is identified at baseline with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-SF and Life Events Checklist for the DSM-5. Personal functioning and health outcome are assessed with the Level of Personality Functioning Scale-BF 2.0, Outcome Questionnaire-45 and Mental Health Quality of Life Questionnaire. Experiences with EMDR therapy of patients in the EMDR therapy condition are explored with a semi-structured interview at post-intervention. DISCUSSION: It is expected that the results of this study will contribute to knowledge about the effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of trauma-focused treatment using EMDR therapy in individuals diagnosed with a PD. Follow-up data provide documentation of long-term effects of EMDR therapy on various outcome variables, most importantly the reduction of PD symptom severity and loss of diagnoses. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Register NL9078 . Registered on 31 November 2020.

Does EMDR Therapy Have an Effect on Memories of Emotional Abuse, Neglect and Other Types of Adverse Events in Patients with a Personality Disorder? Preliminary Data.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the effectiveness of trauma-focused therapies for memories of events not meeting the A-criterion of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). OBJECTIVE: Determining the effect of EMDR therapy on memories of emotional abuse, neglect and other types of adverse events in patients with a personality disorder (PD). METHOD: We conducted a secondary analysis of the data from our study, which aimed to determine the effectiveness of five sessions of EMDR therapy in 49 patients with a PD. Patients were divided into three different groups depending on their most prevalent type of adverse event. Data were analyzed with Generalized Estimating Equations. RESULTS: Of all patients, 49% reported emotional neglect, 22.4% emotional abuse and 26.5% other types. Only one patient reported memories that predominantly fulfilled the A-criterion of PTSD. After five sessions of EMDR therapy, medium to large treatment effects for memories related to neglect (ds between 0.52 and 0.79), medium treatment effects for memories involving emotional abuse (ds between 0.18 and 0.59) and other types of adverse events were found (ds between 0.18 and 0.53). No significant differences in symptom reduction associated with the application of EMDR therapy among memories involving these three different types of adverse events could be revealed. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the notion that EMDR therapy is not only an effective therapy for memories related to A-criteria-worthy events, but that it also has a symptom-reducing effect on memories involving other types of adverse events. This suggests that EMDR might be a valuable addition to the treatment of PD without PTSD.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in patients with a personality disorder.

Background: Little is known about the effects of targeting memories of adverse (childhood) events in people with a personality disorder (PD). Objective: Determining the effectiveness of brief EMDR therapy in individuals with PD. Method: In a randomized-controlled trial, 97 outpatients with a PD as main diagnosis were allocated to either five (90 minutes) sessions of EMDR therapy (n = 51) or a waiting list (WL) control condition (n = 46) followed by 3 months of treatment as usual for their PD. Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were excluded. Measurements were performed on psychological symptoms, psychological distress, and personality dysfunctioning. Outcomes were compared at baseline, post-treatment, and at 3-month follow up. Data were analysed as intent-to-treat with linear mixed models. Results: EMDR therapy yielded significant improvements with medium to large effect sizes for the primary outcomes after treatment, i.e. psychological symptoms (EMDR: d =.42; control group: d =.07), psychological distress (EMDR: d =.69; control group: d =.29), and personality functioning (EMDR: d =.41; control group: d = -.10) within groups. At 3-month follow-up, after 3 months of TAU, improvements were maintained. Significant differences were found between both groups regarding all outcome measures in favour of the EMDR group at post-treatment (ds between -.62 and -.65), and at follow-up, after 3 months of TAU (ds between -.45 and -.53). Conclusions: The results suggest that EMDR therapy can be beneficial in the treatment of patients with PDs. More rigorous outcome research examining long-term effects and using a longer treatment track is warranted.

Antecedentes: Se sabe poco acerca del efecto que tiene la focalización de los recuerdos de los eventos adversos (de la infancia) en las personas con un trastorno de la personalidad (PD, por sus siglas en inglés).Objetivo: Determinar la eficacia de la terapia breve EMDR en individuos con PD.Método: En un ensayo controlado aleatorio, 97 pacientes ambulatorios con una PD como diagnóstico principal fueron asignados a cinco sesiones (de 90 minutos c/u) de terapia EMDR (n=51) o a una condición de control en lista de espera (WL, por sus siglas en inglés) (n=46) seguidas de tres meses de tratamiento habitual para su PD. Se excluyeron los individuos con trastorno de estrés postraumático. Se realizaron mediciones de los síntomas psicológicos, malestar psicológico, y disfunción de la personalidad. Los resultados se compararon al inicio, después del tratamiento y a los 3 meses de seguimiento. Los datos se analizaron como intención de tratar con modelos lineales mixtos.Resultados: La terapia EMDR produjo mejoras significativas con tamaños de efecto medianos a grandes para los resultados primarios después del tratamiento, es decir, síntomas psicológicos (EMDR: d =.42; grupo control: d =.07), malestar psicológico (EMDR: d =.69; grupo control: d =.29), y disfunción de la personalidad (EMDR: d =.41; grupo control: d = −.10) dentro de los grupos. A los 3 meses de seguimiento, después de tres meses de TAU, se mantuvieron las mejoras. Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos con respecto a todas las medidas de resultados a favour del grupo EMDR en el postratamiento (ds entre −.62 y −.65) y el seguimiento (ds entre 0,21 y 0,25), después de tres meses de TAU (ds entre −.45 y −.53).Conclusiones: Los resultados sugieren que la terapia EMDR puede ser beneficiosa para los pacientes con PD. Se recomienda una investigación más estricta de los resultados, que examine los efectos a largo plazo y utilice una duración más larga del tratamiento.

Gender differences in psychological distress and quality of life in patients with an ICD 1-year postimplant.

BACKGROUND: Gender differences in patient-reported outcomes in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) have been researched, but findings are inconclusive and mostly based on cross-sectional study designs. To gain a better insight into potential determinants of psychological distress and health-related quality of life (HQOL), we examined the relationship between gender and patient-reported outcomes in patients with an ICD in the first year after ICD implantation. METHODS: Consecutive patients (N = 300) receiving an ICD between September 2007 and February 2010 at Medisch Spectrum Twente hospital, the Netherlands, completed several questionnaires to assess psychological distress and HQOL prior to ICD implantation and at 2 months, 5 months, 8 months, and 12 months postimplantation. RESULTS: Correcting for clinical confounders (e.g., left ventricular ejection fraction, ICD indication, comorbidities, ICD shocks), women reported higher levels of anxiety (P = 0.021) and shock-related anxiety (P = 0.047) than men in the course of a year. On most HQOL subscales, no gender differences were found, except for subscale Physical functioning, where women reported higher levels of improvement compared to men (P = 0.008). Gender was independently associated with poorer device-related acceptance, but only on the Florida Patient Acceptance Scale domain Body image concerns (P = 0.043), with women expressing higher levels of concerns about their body image compared to men. CONCLUSIONS: Women report higher levels of general and shock-related anxiety, and higher levels of body image concerns than men. Women showed more improvement in physical functioning. Screening patients before and after ICD implantation for general and shock anxiety may help determine patients who could benefit from psychological counseling.

Psychological indices as predictors for phantom shocks in implantable cardioverter defibrillator recipients.

BACKGROUND: A phantom shock-the sensation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) discharge in the absence of an actual discharge-is a phenomenon that can occur in ICD patients. Little is known about the influence of psychological factors on the incidence of phantom shocks. We evaluated psychological correlates of phantom shocks 2 years post-ICD implant in a cohort of Dutch ICD recipients. METHODS: Consecutive patients (N = 300; 87.5% men; mean age = 62.3) willing to participate in a prospective study (Twente ICD Cohort Study) on psychological factors in ICD recipients received an ICD between September 2007 and February 2010. At baseline, patients complete the 36-item Short Form Health Survey, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Type D Scale. Lifetime presence of anxiety and depression was assessed with the MINI structural interview. RESULTS: During a follow-up of 24 months, 16 patients (5.4%) experienced a phantom shock. Median time to (first) phantom shock was 13 weeks (range 0-48 weeks). In univariable analysis, no significant relationships were found between clinical or psychological indices and the occurrence of phantom shocks, nor was there an association between phantom shocks and type D personality, symptoms of anxiety, or a history of anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Neither symptoms of anxiety and depression nor psychiatric history were associated with the occurrence of phantom shocks. Further studies using more explorative, qualitative research techniques are warranted to examine the correlates of phantom shocks.

Association of psychiatric history and type D personality with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and health status prior to ICD implantation.

BACKGROUND: Personality factors and psychiatric history may help explain individual differences in risk of psychological morbidity and poor health outcomes in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). PURPOSE: We examined associations between previous anxiety and depressive disorder, type D personality, anxiety or depressive symptoms, and health status in ICD patients prior to ICD implantation. METHOD: Patients (N = 278; 83 % men; mean age = 62.2 years ±11) receiving a first ICD from September 2007 through April 2010 at the Medisch Spectrum Twente, The Netherlands completed validated questionnaires before implantation assessing type D personality (14-item Type D Scale), anxiety and depressive symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and health status (36-item Short Form Health Survey). History of anxiety or depressive disorder was assessed with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview structural interview. RESULTS: Previous anxiety or depressive disorder was prevalent in 8 and 19 % of patients, respectively. Type D personality was present in 21 %, depressive symptoms in 15 %, and anxiety in 24 %. In adjusted analyses, type D personality was a dominant correlate of previous depressive disorder (odds ratio (OR) 6.2, p < 0.001) and previous anxiety disorder (OR 3.9, p = 0.004). Type D personality (OR 4.0, p < 0.001), age (OR 1.03, p = 0.043), and gender (OR 2.5, p = 0.013) were associated with anxiety symptoms at baseline. Type D personality (OR 5.9. p < 0.001) was also associated with increased depressive symptoms at baseline. Heart failure and type D personality were related to poorer health status. CONCLUSION: In ICD patients, prior to ICD implantation, a previous anxiety or depressive disorder, type D personality, and anxiety and depressive symptoms were associated with poorer health status. Type D personality was also independently associated with increased anxiety and depression symptoms.

Monitoring device acceptance in implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients using the Florida Patient Acceptance Survey.

BACKGROUND: Patient device acceptance might be essential in identifying patients at risk for adverse patient-reported outcomes following implantation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). We examined the validity and reliability of the Florida Patient Acceptance Scale (FPAS) and identified correlates of device acceptance in a Dutch cohort of ICD patients. METHODS: Patients with a first-time ICD (N = 272, mean age = 59.2 ± 11.9, 82% men) recruited from the Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, or the Medisch Spectrum Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands completed the FPAS, the Type D Scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated that eliminating three items from the FPAS, leaving 12 items contributing to three factors, is equivalent to the original four-factor version of the FPAS. The abbreviated FPAS had a high internal consistency both for the total scale and all subscales, with Cronbach's alphas ranging from 0.76 to 0.82. Anxiety (odds ratio [OR]: 9.75; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.38-39.87; P = 0.002), depression (OR: 2.96; 95% CI: 0.98-8.93; P = 0.05), and the distressed (Type D) personality (OR: 5.04; 95% CI: 1.50-16.92; P = 0.01), but not demographic and clinical factors including shocks, were significant independent correlates of poor device acceptance. CONCLUSION: A shortened 12-item, three-factor version of the FPAS was shown to be a valid and internally consistent instrument to assess device acceptance in Dutch ICD patients. Psychological but not clinical factors were the primary correlates of device acceptance, which underlines the importance of taking into account the patient's psychological profile when seeking to identify patients at risk for adjustment difficulties after ICD implantation.