Question: In adults with a personality disorder how effective are brief dynamic psychotherapies, compared to any other intervention, for improving patient outcomes?

Answer:

Two poor quality systematic reviews and one small open randomised controlled trial (RCT) with limitations in the reported analyses provided very limited information on the effectiveness of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapies for the treatment of people with personality disorders. The results reported in the systematic reviews were not sufficient to support any firm conclusions. The additional RCT provided some preliminary evidence that Psychic Representation-Focused Psychotherapy, used in addition to standard treatment, may improve a range of symptoms in people with borderline personality disorder. However, these results were for immediate, post-treatment effects only; longer-term follow-up from this study is ongoing. There is currently insufficient evidence to support the use of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapies in people with personality disorders and more research is needed.

To view the full summary, click the Download Document link to the right.