Eighteen months post-treatment naturalistic follow-up study of mentalization-based therapy and supportive group treatment of borderline personality disorder: Clinical outcomes and functioning

This study presents 18months naturalistic follow-up data from a randomized outcome study comparing 2years of combined (individual and group) mentalization-based treatment (MBT) and supportive group psychotherapy (SP) for patients with borderline personality disorder. Development during follow-up was assessed using a battery of self-report questionnaires, Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV axis II personality disorders, (SCID-II), present state examination (PSE) interviews, and therapist-rated Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). A total of 58 of 63 patients who had completed 2years of treatment participated. Treatment effects attained at termination were sustained at 18months follow-up, and there were no significant differences between the groups. Half of the patients in the MBT group met criteria for functional remission at follow-up, compared with less than one fifth in the SP group. Three quarters of the participants in both groups had achieved diagnostic remission, and almost half of the patients had attained symptomatic remission on most outcome measures 18months after treatment termination. It is concluded that significant outcome of 2-year MBT and SP conducted by experienced therapists in a well-organized clinic was sustained 18months after treatment termination.