Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Pilot Study on Auricular Acupuncture in Hospitalized Adults With Borderline Personality Disorder

Switzerland15 participantsStarted 2026-04-15

Plain-language summary

The goal of this pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a brief auricular acupuncture program delivered by mental health nurses as a complementary therapy for adults hospitalized with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is participation in the five-session auricular acupuncture program feasible (in terms of attendance) for hospitalized adults with borderline personality disorder? * Does the auricular acupuncture intervention show potential benefits on emotional regulation, anxiety, sleep quality, and overall clinical status? 15 hospitalized adults with BPD will receive 5 individual ear acupuncture sessions, over a 9-day period, based on the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (N.A.D.A.) protocol in addition to treatment as usual. Participants will complete brief questionnaires at several time points. The findings will inform the feasibility of the study procedures and guide the development of a future larger-scale clinical trial.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria * Aged 18 years or older * Currently hospitalized in a psychiatric unit at the Prangins site of Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) * Diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, as documented in the medical record * Able to speak and understand French * Able to communicate verbally * Clinically stable enough to participate, as determined by the healthcare team * Able to understand the study information and provide written informed consent Exclusion criteria * Presence of severe clinical instability, such as: marked agitation, high risk of suicide, risk of harm to others * Inability to provide informed consent (for example, due to impaired judgment or legal protective measures) * Currently hospitalized in a seclusion or isolation room * Expected discharge from hospital before completion of the five acupuncture sessions * Current treatment with anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medications * Current treatment with immunosuppressive medications * Currently receiving acupuncture treatment for any reason * Received acupuncture within the past three months for anxiety, emotional regulation, relaxation, or sleep problems * Participation in intensive behavioral therapy programs outside usual care that target similar outcomes * Presence of skin lesions, irritation, or infection on the ears * Severe fear of needles * Inability to remain still during acupuncture sessions

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Feasibility of the study design

Timeframe: Participant attendance will be recorded at each scheduled study visit corresponding to acupuncture sessions (Day 0 [baseline], Days 2, 4, 6, and 8) in a study worksheet completed by the nurse administering the intervention.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07476300

SponsorJenny Gentizon

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-07-31

Contact for this trial

Jenny Gentizon, Ph.D

+41795568033 jenny.gentizon@chuv.ch

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Borderline Personality Disorder trials