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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy group in reducing engagement in non-suicidal self-injury among borderline personality disorder patients: a time-series investigation

Szilvia Kresznerits, Ágnes Zinner-Gérecz, Mónika Miklósi, Tamás Szekeres, Dóra Perczel-Forintos

preprint DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4551164/v1 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Non-randomized controlled time-series design
Sample size 50
Population Outpatients with borderline personality disorder and non-suicidal self-injury
Intervention Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (MBCT-NSSI)
Topics Meditation
Key points Following MBCT-NSSI, participants showed significant reductions in non-suicidal self-injury frequency and improvements in mindfulness skills, self-esteem, self-compassion, depression, and impulsivity, but cognitive emotion regulation strategies did not significantly improve. The authors suggest the training may help reduce suicide risk and prevent deterioration, though it is not a replacement for comprehensive therapy.

Abstract

Abstract Borderline personality disorder (BPD) patients often encounter healthcare system challenges, including stigma and long waitlists, necessitating brief, tailored interventions to reduce suicidal risk and core difficulties. Our study assessed the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (MBCT-NSSI) for BPD patients with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Using a non-randomized controlled time-series design, we evaluated participants' self-reported questionnaires at three points. Out of 158 applicants, N = 50 outpatients completed the training. Baseline assessments showed significant emotional dysregulation, elevated depression, hopelessness, impulsivity, dissociative experiences, and frequent self-harming behavior. Dissociation and impulsivity correlated moderately with NSSI, while non-judgement, non-reactivity, and acting with awareness mindfulness facets showed strong associations with clinical scales. Following MBCT-NSSI, significant reductions in NSSI frequency and improvements in mindfulness skills, self-esteem, self-compassion, depression, and impulsivity were observed, though cognitive emotion regulation strategies did not significantly improve. This study reveals some interconnections between NSSI and psychological factors among BPD patients, and the potential benefits of MBCT-NSSI training. While the training is not a replacement for comprehensive therapy, this focused intervention can have a great impact in reducing suicide risk and preventing deterioration.

Comparable studies

Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients 2003 Pre-post intervention study n = 59
Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample 2010 Pre-post intervention study
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students 2003 Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study n = 302
Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls 2011 Controlled trial with wait-list control group n = 60
The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents 2011 Within-group waitlist controlled trial n = 22

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