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. 2020 May 4;2020(5):CD012955. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012955.pub2

Comparison 21. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and related treatments vs active treatment.

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
21.1 Standard DBT (DBT) vs client‐centred therapy (CCT) (continuous) 1   Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
21.1.1 Primary: self‐harm (continuous), at end of treatment 1 24 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐2.75 [‐4.42, ‐1.08]
21.1.2 Primary: suicide‐related outcomes (continuous), at end of treatment 1 24 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐7.75 [‐14.66, ‐0.84]
21.1.3 Secondary: anger (continuous), at end of treatment 1 24 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐1.00 [‐1.98, ‐0.02]
21.1.4 Secondary: impulsivity (continuous), at end of treatment 1 24 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐1.50 [‐2.60, ‐0.40]
21.1.5 Secondary: dissociation and psychotic‐like symptoms (continuous), at end of treatment 1 24 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐7.16 [‐12.15, ‐2.17]
21.1.6 Secondary: depression (continuous), at end of treatment 1 24 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐9.16 [‐14.79, ‐3.53]
21.2 DBT vs CCT, secondary: attrition (dichotomous), at end of treatment 1   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
21.3 Standard DBT (DBT) vs good psychiatric management (GPM) (continuous) 1   Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
21.3.1 Primary: BPD severity (continuous), at end of treatment 1 180 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.23 [‐1.97, 1.51]
21.3.2 Primary: self‐harm (continuous), at end of treatment 1 180 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐8.58 [‐19.38, 2.22]
21.3.3 Secondary: anger (continuous), at end of treatment 1 180 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.15 [‐1.65, 1.35]
21.3.4 Secondary: interpersonal problems (continuous), at end of treatment 1 180 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐1.34 [‐15.36, 12.68]
21.3.5 Secondary: depression (continuous), at end of treatment 1 180 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐2.65 [‐7.18, 1.88]
21.4 DBT vs GPM, secondary: attrition (dichotomous), at end of treatment 1   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
21.5 Standard DBT (DBT) vs individual DBT therapy + activities group (DBT‐I) (continuous) 1   Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
21.5.1 Primary: self‐harm (continuous), at end of treatment 1 66 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐10.40 [‐22.99, 2.19]
21.5.2 Primary: self‐harm (continuous), at 6‐12 months follow‐up 1 66 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐8.10 [‐19.59, 3.39]
21.5.3 Primary: suicide‐related outcomes (continuous), at end of treatment 1 66 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.50 [‐1.37, 2.37]
21.5.4 Primary: suicide‐related outcomes (continuous), at 6‐12 months follow‐up 1 66 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐1.60 [‐2.79, ‐0.41]
21.5.5 Secondary: depression (continuous), at end of treatment 1 66 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐5.90 [‐9.74, ‐2.06]
21.5.6 Secondary: depression (continuous), at 6‐12 months follow‐up 1 66 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.30 [‐3.10, 5.70]
21.6 DBT vs DBT‐I, secondary: attrition (dichotomous), at end of treatment 1   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
21.7 Standard DBT (DBT) vs skills training group + individual case management (DBT‐S) (continuous) 1   Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
21.7.1 Primary: self‐harm (continuous), at end of treatment 1 66 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.30 [‐8.42, 9.02]
21.7.2 Primary: self‐harm (continuous), at 6‐12 months follow‐up 1 66 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐1.50 [‐9.04, 6.04]
21.7.3 Primary: suicide‐related outcomes (continuous), at end of treatment 1 66 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.80 [‐1.06, 2.66]
21.7.4 Primary: suicide‐related outcomes (continuous), at 6‐12 months follow‐up 1 66 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.50 [‐0.02, 1.02]
21.7.5 Secondary: depression (continuous), at end of treatment 1 66 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.90 [‐1.60, 5.40]
21.7.6 Secondary: depression (continuous), at 6‐12 months follow‐up 1 66 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 3.30 [‐0.90, 7.50]
21.8 DBT vs DBT‐S, secondary: attrition (dichotomous), at 6‐12 months follow‐up 1   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
21.9 Standard DBT (DBT) vs step‐down DBT (DBT‐SD) (continuous) 1   Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
21.9.1 Primary: BPD symptom severity (continuous), at end of treatment 1 38 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐2.83 [‐11.21, 5.55]
21.9.2 Primary: self‐harm (continuous), at end of treatment 1 38 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 4.10 [‐4.07, 12.27]
21.9.3 Primary: suicide‐related outcomes (continuous), at end of treatment 1 38 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.30 [‐0.73, 1.33]
21.9.4 Secondary: anger (continuous), at end of treatment 1 41 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.53 [‐1.48, 0.43]
21.9.5 Secondary: affective instability (continuous), at end of treatment 1 41 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.71 [‐2.51, 1.09]
21.9.6 Secondary: chronic feeling of emptiness (continuous), at end of treatment 1 41 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.18 [‐1.68, 2.04]
21.9.7 Secondary: impulsivity (continuous), at end of treatment 1 41 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.24 [‐0.26, 0.75]
21.9.8 Secondary: interpersonal problems (continuous), at end of treatment 1 41 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐1.31 [‐2.05, ‐0.57]
21.9.9 Secondary: abandonment (continuous), at end of treatment 1 41 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐1.11 [‐2.14, ‐0.08]
21.9.10 Secondary: dissociation and psychotic‐like symptoms (continuous), at end of treatment 1 41 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.44 [‐1.56, 0.68]
21.10 DBT vs DBT‐SD, secondary: attrition (dichotomous), at end of treatment 1 84 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.37 [0.17, 0.78]
21.11 Standard DBT (DBT) vs DBT Prolonged Exposure (PE) (continuous) 1   Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
21.11.1 Primary: self‐harm (continuous), end of treatment 1 18 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.10 [‐1.86, 2.06]
21.11.2 Primary: self‐harm (continuous), at 0‐6 months follow‐up 1 18 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.30 [‐1.09, 0.49]
21.11.3 Primary: suicide‐related outcomes (continuous), end of treatment 1 18 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) Not estimable
21.11.4 Primary: suicide‐related outcomes (continuous), at 0‐6 months follow‐up 1 18 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) Not estimable
21.11.5 Primary: psychosocial functioning (continuous), end of treatment 1 18 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 5.27 [‐2.06, 12.60]
21.11.6 Primary: psychosocial functioning (continuous), at 0‐6 months follow‐up 1 18 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 2.00 [‐6.27, 10.27]
21.11.7 Secondary: interpersonal problems (continuous), end of treatment 1 18 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.14 [‐0.42, 0.70]
21.11.8 Secondary: interpersonal problems (continuous), at 0‐6 months follow‐up 1 18 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.19 [‐0.48, 0.86]
21.11.9 Secondary: dissociation or psychotic‐like symptoms (continuous), end of treatment 1 18 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 4.60 [‐9.24, 18.44]
21.11.10 Secondary: dissociation or psychotic‐like symptoms (continuous), at 0‐6 months follow‐up 1 18 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 6.00 [‐9.46, 21.46]
21.11.11 Secondary: depression (continuous), end of treatment 1 18 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 3.70 [‐3.19, 10.59]
21.11.12 Secondary: depression (continuous), at 0‐6 months follow‐up 1 18 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 4.30 [‐1.08, 9.68]
21.12 DBT vs DBT‐PE, secondary: attrition (dichotomous), at 0‐6 months follow‐up 1   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
21.13 DBT skills group + case management (DBT‐S) vs DBT individual therapy + activity group (DBT‐I) (continuous) 1   Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
21.13.1 Primary: self‐harm (continuous), at end of treatment 1 66 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐10.70 [‐22.47, 1.07]
21.13.2 Primary: self‐harming behaviour (continuous), at 6‐12 months follow‐up 1 66 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐6.60 [‐19.72, 6.52]
21.13.3 Primary: suicide‐related outcomes (continuous), at end of treatment 1 66 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.30 [‐1.72, 1.12]
21.13.4 Primary: suicide‐related outcomes (continuous), at 6‐12 months follow‐up 1 66 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐2.10 [‐3.21, ‐0.99]
21.13.5 Secondary: depression (continuous), at end of treatment 1 66 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐7.80 [‐11.27, ‐4.33]
21.13.6 Secondary: depression (continuous), at 6‐12 months follow‐up 1 66 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐2.00 [‐6.44, 2.44]
21.14 DBT‐S vs DBT‐I, secondary: attrition (dichotomous), at 6‐12 months follow‐up 1   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
21.15 DBT skills group (DBT‐S) vs cognitive therapy group (CT‐G) (continuous) 1   Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
21.15.1 Primary: BPD symptom severity (continuous), at end of treatment 1 82 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.26 [‐0.13, 0.65]
21.15.2 Primary: BPD symptom severity (continuous), at 0‐6 months follow‐up 1 82 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.96 [‐1.15, ‐0.77]
21.15.3 Primary: suicide‐related outcomes (continuous), at end of treatment 1 82 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.46 [‐2.47, 3.39]
21.15.4 Primary: suicide‐related outcomes (continuous), at 0‐6 months follow‐up 1 82 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐2.69 [‐4.89, ‐0.49]
21.15.5 Secondary: depression (continuous), at end of treatment 1 82 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐2.12 [‐5.25, 1.01]
21.15.6 Secondary: depression (continuous), at 0‐6 months follow‐up 1 82 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐1.60 [‐5.07, 1.87]
21.16 DBT‐S vs CT‐G, secondary: attrition (dichotomous), at end of treatment 1   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
21.17 DBT skills group (DBT‐S) vs schema‐focused therapy group (SFT‐G) 1   Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
21.17.1 Primary: suicide‐related outcomes (continuous), at end of treatment 1 24 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.92 [‐0.36, 2.20]
21.17.2 Secondary: depression (continuous), at end of treatment 1 24 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 4.33 [2.57, 6.09]
21.18 DBT mindfulness group (DBT‐M) vs DBT interpersonal effectiveness group (DBT‐IE) (continuous) 2   Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
21.18.1 Primary: BPD symptom severity (continuous), at end of treatment 2 113 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.45 [‐1.47, 0.58]
21.18.2 Secondary: impulsivity (continuous), at end of treatment 2 91 Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.36 [‐0.77, 0.06]
21.19 DBT‐M vs DBT‐IE, secondary: attrition (dichotomous), at end of treatment 2 134 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 1.86 [1.07, 3.23]
21.20 DBT mindfulness group (DBT‐M) vs loving‐kindness and compassion meditation (LK/CM), primary: BPD symptom severity (continuous), at end of treatment 1   Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only