Mindfulness for Intense Emotions: A Feasibility Trial

Mindfulness Approach for Adults Experiencing Borderline Personality Disorder; Supporting the Management of Intense and Fluctuating Emotions, a Feasibility Study

This study explores the feasibility of a mindfulness-based intervention for people with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder.

This is an uncontrolled feasibility trial of an eight-week mindfulness-based intervention for people with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. A battery of measures will be administered at baseline, in a time window of six to zero weeks prior to the start of the intervention. Outcome measures will be repeated in the two weeks after the end of the eight-week intervention, along with a qualitative interview.

Inclusion criteria:

• Are on the caseload of a United Kingdom National Health Service Assessment and Treatment Service in the recruitment area and have had contact with that service in the past three months
• Have received the diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder from a suitably qualified health care professional, and continue to meet criteria for this diagnosis according to the SCID-II (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders Version II) at their screening assessment
• Have sufficient English language speaking and comprehension abilities to access group discussions and hand-out materials
• Have not previously engaged in a mindfulness-based intervention. As in other similar trials, a minimum dose has been operationally defined as having undertaken 50% or more of a mindfulness-based intervention delivered face-to-face by a suitably qualified health care professional
• Are not currently receiving, nor have plans to receive any other form of psychological therapy during the course of the study

Exclusion criteria:

• Have psychosis
• Misuse alcohol or drug to a level that requiring detox
• Have a intellectual disability
• Present a high level of risk requiring inpatient management at the time of their screening assessment