Manual-assisted cognitive therapy for self-harm in personality disorder and substance misuse: a feasibility trial

Davidson, K. M., Brown, T. M., James, V., Kirk, J. and Richardson, J. (2014) Manual-assisted cognitive therapy for self-harm in personality disorder and substance misuse: a feasibility trial. Psychiatric Bulletin, 38(3), pp. 108-111. (doi: 10.1192/pb.bp.113.043109)

Abstract

<b>Aims and method</b> To assess the feasibility of conducting a larger, definitive randomised controlled trial of manual-assisted cognitive therapy (MACT), a brief focused therapy to address self-harm and promote engagement in services. We established recruitment, randomisation and assessment of outcome within a sample of these complex patients admitted to a general hospital following self-harm. We assessed symptoms of depressed mood, anxiety and suicidality at baseline and at 3 months’ follow-up.<p></p> <b>Results</b> Twenty patients were randomised to the trial following an index episode of self-harm, and those allocated to MACT demonstrated improvement in anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation.<p></p> <b>Clinical implications</b> It is feasible to recruit a sample of these complex patients to a randomised controlled trial of MACT following an index episode of self-harm. There is preliminary support that MACT could be an acceptable and effective intervention in patients with personality disorder and substance misuse.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Davidson, Professor Kate and Richardson, Dr Julie and Kirk, Dr Jamie and James, Miss Vairi
• Authors: Davidson, K. M., Brown, T. M., James, V., Kirk, J., and Richardson, J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Psychiatric Bulletin
• Publisher: Royal College of Psychiatrists
• ISSN: 2053-4868
• ISSN (Online): 2053-4876
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2014 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
• First Published: First published in Psychiatric Bulletin 38(3):108-111
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License