Biological Effects of Schema Therapy

Plain-language summary

Background: The major aim of this study is to compare the effects of emotion focused (experiential) and cognitive interventions of schema therapy (ST) on emotion regulation deficits in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) according to DSM-V (alternative model) criteria. In a randomized, single-blinded parallel-group design clinical effects as well as effects on neurotransmitter metabolism and connectivity will be compared. Method: While the 9-weeks treatment protocol of particular interest includes emotion focused interventions (ST-EF, n=60) such as chair dialogs, imagery rescripting or role play, the active control condition (ST-AC, n=60) is restricted to cognitive interventions, e.g. psychoeducation or pro/contra discussions. MEGA-PRESS 1H-MR spectroscopy and resting-state functional MR imaging (rs-fMRI) will be used before/after treatment protocols (T0-T1) and 6 months after the end of therapy (T2) to assess the effects on glutamate (Glx) and GABA metabolism in key regions of the target networks (executive control network, ECN: dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, DLPFC; salience network, SN: anteromedial cingulate cortex, aMCC; default mode network, DMN: pregenual cingulate cortex, pgACC) and to investigate the corresponding altered connectivity in these networks. The biological aberrations at T0 as compared to healthy controls (n=60) and treatment effects (at T1 and T2, n≥40 in each condition) on these aberrations will be linked to clinical effects measured by an extensive test battery with particular interest on emotion regulation, and specified by the Reliable Change Index (RCI). For longitudinal data mixed model analysis will be performed. The main questions are (1) whether the emotion regulation deficit and the pattern of BPD-specific symptomatology are associated with a specific pattern of Glx and GABA concentrations in the DLPFC, aMCC and pgACC and corresponding deviations of functional connectivity within the ECN, SN and DMN. Hypothesis: Depending on primary and secondary outcome measures at T0, altered RSFC in the DMN, SN and ECN and corresponding altered Glx or GABA concentrations are assumed. (2) whether both treatment conditions have different clinical effects on the ability to regulate emotions and whether the respective clinical effects are associated with the changes in neurobiological aberrations. Hypothesis: It is hypothesized that the ST-EF condition will improve emotion regulation skills more effectively than the control condition. Only in the ST-EF condition are higher response and remission rates expected in the primary and secondary outcome measures, as well as effects on the ECN, SN and DMN with corresponding changes in RSFC and Glx or GABA concentrations.

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