Authors' recommendations: The four RCTs included all concluded that in the treatment of borderline personality disorder, the group therapy studied was beneficial for symptom reduction, as measured by self-reported clinical rating scales. None of the studies reported mean differences between groups and corresponding confidence intervals to facilitate interpretation. While group therapy for patients with borderline personality disorder resulted in statistically significant increases up to one year post treatment, some of which were also described as clinically significant, it remains unknown whether the effects of therapy continue to last past this time point. It is also unclear whether group therapy would be effective for varying degrees of borderline personality disorder or when borderline personality disorder exists amidst other disorders such as Axis I disorders. Two reports provided minimal data regarding group therapy’s effects on hospitalizations, self-injury, or use of emergency services. There is some evidence to tentatively suggest that a few different group therapies can be effective for patients with borderline personality disorder up to one year following completion of treatment. There is no evidence to help determine whether group therapy would be beneficial to other Axis II disorders.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.cadth.ca/media/pdf/L0138_Group_Therapy_Axis_II_final.pdf

Year Published: 2009

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553; Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)