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AzTrials

Bipolar DisorderDB3NCT05153369

Three-level Model of DBT-informed Care for Youth With and/or at Familial Risk for Bipolar Disorder (DB3)

A study testing Enhanced Care, DBT Skills Training and Dialectical Behavior Therapy Full Intervention in people with Bipolar Disorder, run by Centre for Addiction and Mental Health at 1 site in Canada.

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Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This study seeks to bridge the knowledge-to-action gap regarding psychosocial treatment "dosing" for youth with and/or at familial risk for bipolar disorder (BD). In psychiatry, pragmatic collaborative decisions between patient and care provider about pharmacological titrations and tapers are common. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 13 to 23 years
Conditions the study is for
Bipolar Disorder
What is being tested?
Enhanced Care, DBT Skills Training and Dialectical Behavior Therapy Full Intervention
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
60 participants
Where
1 siteCanada
Study dates
1 Nov 2021to Mar 2029
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 13 to 23 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult

Who may be able to join

  • 1) English-speaking; 2) Age 13 years, 0 months to 23 years, 11 months; 3) Meet diagnostic criteria for BD by KSADS-PL (< 20 years of age) or SCID-5-RV (≥ 20 years of age) OR have a biological parent/sibling with BD (type I or II) confirmed via KSADS-PL or SCID-5-RV; 4) If BD-I, taking ≥1 mood stabilizing medication (i.e., antimanic anticonvulsant, antipsychotic, and/or lithium); 5) Followed by a psychiatrist who provides ongoing care; 6) Able and willing to give informed consent/assent to participate.

Who cannot join

  • 1) Evidence of mental retardation, moderate to severe autism spectrum disorder, or organic central nervous system disorder by the K-SADS-PL (< 20 years of age), parent report, medical history, or school records that would interfere with active participation in DBT; 2) A life-threatening medical condition requiring immediate treatment; 3) Current victim of sexual or physical abuse; 4) Current substance use disorder other than mild cannabis or alcohol use disorder; 5) Meets assessment criteria for Level 3 at enrollment.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Canada1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

    Toronto, Ontario, M6J 1H4

    Amanda Moss, MSW, 416-535-8501 ext. 33227, amanda.moss@camh.ca

    Vanessa Rajamani, MSW, 416-535-8501 ext. 31761, vanessa.rajamani@camh.ca

    Recruiting

Other trials in Canada

About this study

Official title: Personalized and Pragmatic Three-level Model of DBT-informed Care for Youth With and/or at Familial Risk for Bipolar Disorder

This study seeks to bridge the knowledge-to-action gap regarding psychosocial treatment "dosing" for youth with and/or at familial risk for bipolar disorder (BD). In psychiatry, pragmatic collaborative decisions between patient and care provider about pharmacological titrations and tapers are common. Less frequently are there considerations made regarding the pragmatic dosing of psychosocial interventions. Whereas some youth clearly require full/"high-dose" treatment, others may benefit from "lower-dose" interventions, alongside re-evaluation of dosing needs over time. Furthermore, there is a subset of youth who do not require or do not want the intensity and frequency of treatment that current interventions provide. This research presents a unique opportunity to better understand different levels of care within a subspecialized outpatient mental health clinic serving youth with and/or at familial risk for BD who vary greatly in terms of risk indicators, type and severity of symptoms, associated distress, and compounding functional impairment.

Read the detailed description

Bipolar disorder (BD) in adolescence is associated with poor outcomes, including impaired psychosocial functioning, substance use, and suicidality. Preliminary data using DBT as a treatment for youth BD shows improvement in depression symptoms and suicidality. At the same time, the reality is that BD is a chronic disease, and it stands to reason that a pragmatic, adaptive management approach is warranted. Developing a multi-level DBT-informed approach is advantageous for a number of reasons, in particular because this approach embraces clinical heterogeneity within and between individuals. Whereas some youth clearly require full/"high-dose" treatment, others may benefit from judicious use of "lower-dose" interventions, alongside re-evaluation of dosing needs over time. Furthermore, there is a subset of youth who do not require and/or do not want the intensity and frequency of treatment that current interventions provide. Thus far, the leading evidence-based psychosocial treatment studies in the field of youth BD have taken an "all or nothing" approach and have only been studied at one dosing level. While such an approach has certain advantages, it lacks person-centered consideration regarding pragmatic dosing. This study endeavors to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a multi-level treatment model with dosing decisions driven by a combination of risk indicators and symptom severity (with an emphasis on emotional dysregulation, suicidality, and functional impairment; key treatment targets in dialectical behavior therapy), along with patient preference. This study proposes to implement three intensity levels of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)-informed intervention that differ in regards to the number and frequency of sessions, parental involvement, and treatment components. This research will seek to understand the outcomes of three different levels of therapy and will examine what factors lead to the escalation of DBT dosing levels in this population.

Being tested
Enhanced Care, DBT Skills Training, Dialectical Behavior Therapy Full Intervention
Keywords
Youth, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Psychotherapy
Medical subject headings
Bipolar Disorder

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Enhanced CareBehavioural

    Enhanced care aims to educate participants about bipolar disorder using a didactic approach, in addition to teaching and practicing DBT skills in an applied and relevant manner based on the participant's needs. Participants will receive a total of four sessions (approx. 60 minutes in duration), to occur once a month, at a minimum. The content will be split up into psychoeducation (2 sessions) and selected DBT skills (2 sessions). Psychoeducation will be specific to youth bipolar disorder, covering topics such as symptoms of depression and hypo/mania, medications used to treat bipolar disorder, the role of biology and the environment in emotions, and vulnerability and protective factors to emotion dysregulation and mood episodes. The content of skills sessions will be individualized and based on participant needs and goals (e.g., learning and applying skills to optimize their overall functioning, address problem behaviors and/or stressors, and/or maintain commitment to treatment).

  • DBT Skills TrainingBehavioural

    In DBT Skills Training, participants will only receive skills training and can choose to do this individually and/or with their individual family unit by including their parent(s) and/or sibling(s). Participants will receive 20-25 sessions (approx. 60 minutes in duration), to occur at least biweekly. Skills training will include the five standard youth DBT modules: psychoeducation about DBT and bipolar disorder, mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and walking the middle path. The primary focus of the skills training is to impart knowledge and acquire and strengthen pragmatic skills to replace dysfunctional behaviors. If participants choose to include their family members, they will be encouraged to coach one another in effective use of skills.

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy Full InterventionBehavioural

    The DBT full intervention is based on Miller et al.'s DBT for suicidal youth, with modifications for youth with BD. DBT will be conducted over 1 year with approximately 40-50 sessions. Sessions will alternate between individual and skills training sessions. Family involvement in skills training will be strongly encouraged, however will be up to the participant to decide. Participants in Level 3 will complete diary cards tailored for this population, assessing daily mood, suicidality, sleep, and medication adherence. Participants will report use of specified DBT skills on the diary card, and individualized treatment goals will be incorporated into the diary card (e.g., alcohol use). In addition, Level 3 will include skills coaching by phone (via phone and/or text). These brief, structured calls and/or texts function to promote skills generalization by helping the participant and any participating family member(s) use skills to achieve goals and solve problems.

Study groups in NCT05153369
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Level 1ExperimentalAt enrollment, participants will be categorized according to the following criteria related to suicidality, emotion dysregulation, risk behaviors, and participant preference: No lifetime suicidal behaviors on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) AND no active suicidal ideations with method/plan/intent in the past month on the C-SSRS (cannot score 'yes' on items > 3).
Receives: Behavioral: Enhanced Care
Level 2ExperimentalAt enrollment, participants will be categorized according to the following criteria related to suicidality, emotion dysregulation, risk behaviors, and participant preference: No non-suicidal self-injurious (NSSI) behaviors in the past 3 months on the C-SSRS AND no suicide attempts (actual, interrupted and/or aborted) in the past year on the C-SSRS AND no preparatory act or behavior in the past year as measured by the C-SSRS OR participant preference.
Receives: Behavioral: DBT Skills Training
Level 3ExperimentalAt enrollment, participants will be categorized according to the following criteria related to suicidality, emotion dysregulation, risk behaviors, and participant preference: NSSI behaviors in the past 3 months on the C-SSRS OR at least 1 suicide attempt in the past year (actual, interrupted, and/or aborted) on the C-SSRS OR at least 1 preparatory act or behavior in the past year as measured by the C-SSRS OR Meets youth threshold for at least 2 impulsive behavior categories on question #4 from the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders Borderline Personality Disorder (SIDP-IV) or 1 category is identified as severe OR participant preference during the course of treatment.
Receives: Behavioral: Dialectical Behavior Therapy Full Intervention

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in symptoms using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders (SIDP-IV): Borderline Personality Disorder

    Borderline and antisocial personality symptoms will be assessed using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality. The SID-P uses a semi structured interview format to assess for symptoms of personality disorders. Scores one each item range from 0 to 3 and high scores indicate symptoms of borderline personality disorder and levels of impairment.

    Measured: Baseline to 6 months

  2. Change in symptoms using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders (SIDP-IV): Borderline Personality Disorder

    Borderline and antisocial personality symptoms will be assessed using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality. The SID-P uses a semi structured interview format to assess for symptoms of personality disorders. Scores one each item range from 0 to 3 and high scores indicate symptoms of borderline personality disorder and levels of impairment.

    Measured: 6 months to 12 months

  3. Change in symptoms using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders (SIDP-IV): Borderline Personality Disorder

    Borderline and antisocial personality symptoms will be assessed using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality. The SID-P uses a semi structured interview format to assess for symptoms of personality disorders. Scores one each item range from 0 to 3 and high scores indicate symptoms of borderline personality disorder and levels of impairment.

    Measured: 12 months to 18 months

  4. Change in symptoms using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders (SIDP-IV): Borderline Personality Disorder

    Borderline and antisocial personality symptoms will be assessed using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality. The SID-P uses a semi structured interview format to assess for symptoms of personality disorders. Scores one each item range from 0 to 3 and high scores indicate symptoms of borderline personality disorder and levels of impairment.

    Measured: 18 months to 24 months

  5. Change in symptoms using the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ)

    Self-reported and parent reported depressive and manic symptoms will be measured via the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ). Responses are made on a 3-point scale ("0=not true", "1=sometimes true" and "2=true").

    Measured: Baseline to 3 months

  6. Change in symptoms using the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ)

    Self-reported and parent reported depressive and manic symptoms will be measured via the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ). Responses are made on a 3-point scale ("0=not true", "1=sometimes true" and "2=true").

    Measured: 3 months to 6 months

  7. Change in symptoms using the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ)

    Self-reported and parent reported depressive and manic symptoms will be measured via the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ). Responses are made on a 3-point scale ("0=not true", "1=sometimes true" and "2=true").

    Measured: 6 months to 9 months

  8. Change in symptoms using the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ)

    Self-reported and parent reported depressive and manic symptoms will be measured via the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ). Responses are made on a 3-point scale ("0=not true", "1=sometimes true" and "2=true").

    Measured: 9 months to 12 months

  9. Change in symptoms using the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ)

    Self-reported and parent reported depressive and manic symptoms will be measured via the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ). Responses are made on a 3-point scale ("0=not true", "1=sometimes true" and "2=true").

    Measured: 12 months to 15 months

  10. Change in symptoms using the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ)

    Self-reported and parent reported depressive and manic symptoms will be measured via the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ). Responses are made on a 3-point scale ("0=not true", "1=sometimes true" and "2=true").

    Measured: 15 months to 18 months

  11. Change in symptoms using the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ)

    Self-reported and parent reported depressive and manic symptoms will be measured via the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ). Responses are made on a 3-point scale ("0=not true", "1=sometimes true" and "2=true").

    Measured: 18 months to 21 months

  12. Change in symptoms using the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ)

    Self-reported and parent reported depressive and manic symptoms will be measured via the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ). Responses are made on a 3-point scale ("0=not true", "1=sometimes true" and "2=true").

    Measured: 21 months to 24 months

  13. Change in suicidality Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)

    Youth participants will complete the self-report Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ), which is intended to identify participants whose level of suicidal ideation is severe enough to warrant further intervention. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale (0= "I never had this thought" to 6="almost every day") and is used to indicate the frequency with which the participant experiences each thought.

    Measured: Baseline to 3 months

  14. Change in suicidality using the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)

    Youth participants will complete the self-report Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ), which is intended to identify participants whose level of suicidal ideation is severe enough to warrant further intervention. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale (0= "I never had this thought" to 6="almost every day") and is used to indicate the frequency with which the participant experiences each thought.

    Measured: 3 months to 6 months

  15. Change in suicidality using the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)

    Youth participants will complete the self-report Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ), which is intended to identify participants whose level of suicidal ideation is severe enough to warrant further intervention. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale (0= "I never had this thought" to 6="almost every day") and is used to indicate the frequency with which the participant experiences each thought.

    Measured: 6 months to 9 months

  16. Change in suicidality using the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)

    Youth participants will complete the self-report Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ), which is intended to identify participants whose level of suicidal ideation is severe enough to warrant further intervention. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale (0= "I never had this thought" to 6="almost every day") and is used to indicate the frequency with which the participant experiences each thought.

    Measured: 9 months to 12 months

  17. Change in suicidality using the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)

    Youth participants will complete the self-report Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ), which is intended to identify participants whose level of suicidal ideation is severe enough to warrant further intervention. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale (0= "I never had this thought" to 6="almost every day") and is used to indicate the frequency with which the participant experiences each thought.

    Measured: 12 months to 15 months

  18. Change in suicidality using the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)

    Youth participants will complete the self-report Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ), which is intended to identify participants whose level of suicidal ideation is severe enough to warrant further intervention. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale (0= "I never had this thought" to 6="almost every day") and is used to indicate the frequency with which the participant experiences each thought.

    Measured: 15 months to 18 months

  19. Change in suicidality using the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)

    Youth participants will complete the self-report Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ), which is intended to identify participants whose level of suicidal ideation is severe enough to warrant further intervention. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale (0= "I never had this thought" to 6="almost every day") and is used to indicate the frequency with which the participant experiences each thought.

    Measured: 18 months to 21 months

  20. Change in suicidality using the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)

    Youth participants will complete the self-report Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ), which is intended to identify participants whose level of suicidal ideation is severe enough to warrant further intervention. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale (0= "I never had this thought" to 6="almost every day") and is used to indicate the frequency with which the participant experiences each thought.

    Measured: 21 months to 24 months

  21. Change in symptoms using the Adolescent Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (ALIFE)

    The Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (LIFE) will provide a comprehensive cross-sectional and longitudinal picture of the symptomatic and psychosocial course and outcome of all participants in this study. Scores range from 0-3 on certain disorders and 0-6 for other disorders. High scores indicate high level of symptom impairment.

    Measured: Baseline to 6 months

  22. Change in symptoms using the Adolescent Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (ALIFE)

    The Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (LIFE) will provide a comprehensive cross-sectional and longitudinal picture of the symptomatic and psychosocial course and outcome of all participants in this study. Scores range from 0-3 on certain disorders and 0-6 for other disorders. High scores indicate high level of symptom impairment.

    Measured: 6 months to 12 months

  23. Change in symptoms using the Adolescent Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (ALIFE)

    The Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (LIFE) will provide a comprehensive cross-sectional and longitudinal picture of the symptomatic and psychosocial course and outcome of all participants in this study. Scores range from 0-3 on certain disorders and 0-6 for other disorders. High scores indicate high level of symptom impairment.

    Measured: 12 months to 18 months

  24. Change in symptoms using the Adolescent Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (ALIFE)

    The Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (LIFE) will provide a comprehensive cross-sectional and longitudinal picture of the symptomatic and psychosocial course and outcome of all participants in this study. Scores range from 0-3 on certain disorders and 0-6 for other disorders. High scores indicate high level of symptom impairment.

    Measured: 18 months to 24 months

  25. Change in suicidality using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

    Suicidal events (past and over follow-up) will be assessed with the Pediatric Version of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). The C-SSRS has sound psychometric properties, yields ratings of widely accepted definitions of youth suicidal events, and was used in other pediatric treatment trials yielding standardized outcomes to compare across studies. This is a semi-structured interview that includes yes/no questions as well as narrative. It captures number of suicidal events as well as type and severity.

    Measured: Baseline to 6 months

  26. Change in suicidality using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

    Suicidal events (past and over follow-up) will be assessed with the Pediatric Version of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). The C-SSRS has sound psychometric properties, yields ratings of widely accepted definitions of youth suicidal events, and was used in other pediatric treatment trials yielding standardized outcomes to compare across studies. This is a semi-structured interview that includes yes/no questions as well as narrative. It captures number of suicidal events as well as type and severity.

    Measured: 6 months to 12 months

  27. Change in suicidality using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

    Suicidal events (past and over follow-up) will be assessed with the Pediatric Version of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). The C-SSRS has sound psychometric properties, yields ratings of widely accepted definitions of youth suicidal events, and was used in other pediatric treatment trials yielding standardized outcomes to compare across studies. This is a semi-structured interview that includes yes/no questions as well as narrative. It captures number of suicidal events as well as type and severity.

    Measured: 12 months to 18 months

  28. Change in suicidality using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

    Suicidal events (past and over follow-up) will be assessed with the Pediatric Version of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). The C-SSRS has sound psychometric properties, yields ratings of widely accepted definitions of youth suicidal events, and was used in other pediatric treatment trials yielding standardized outcomes to compare across studies. This is a semi-structured interview that includes yes/no questions as well as narrative. It captures number of suicidal events as well as type and severity.

    Measured: 18 months to 24 months

  29. Change in emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)

    Youth participants will complete the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), a 36-item questionnaire assessing emotional dysregulation. Participants indicate how often each item applies to them on a scale from 1="almost never; 0-10 percent" to 5= "almost always; 91-100 percent".

    Measured: Baseline to 3 months

  30. Change in emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)

    Youth participants will complete the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), a 36-item questionnaire assessing emotional dysregulation. Participants indicate how often each item applies to them on a scale from 1="almost never; 0-10 percent" to 5= "almost always; 91-100 percent".

    Measured: 3 months to 6 months

  31. Change in emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)

    Youth participants will complete the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), a 36-item questionnaire assessing emotional dysregulation. Participants indicate how often each item applies to them on a scale from 1="almost never; 0-10 percent" to 5= "almost always; 91-100 percent".

    Measured: 6 months to 9 months

  32. Change in emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)

    Youth participants will complete the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), a 36-item questionnaire assessing emotional dysregulation. Participants indicate how often each item applies to them on a scale from 1="almost never; 0-10 percent" to 5= "almost always; 91-100 percent".

    Measured: 9 months to 12 months

  33. Change in emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)

    Youth participants will complete the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), a 36-item questionnaire assessing emotional dysregulation. Participants indicate how often each item applies to them on a scale from 1="almost never; 0-10 percent" to 5= "almost always; 91-100 percent".

    Measured: 12 months to 15 months

  34. Change in emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)

    Youth participants will complete the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), a 36-item questionnaire assessing emotional dysregulation. Participants indicate how often each item applies to them on a scale from 1="almost never; 0-10 percent" to 5= "almost always; 91-100 percent".

    Measured: 15 months to 18 months

  35. Change in emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)

    Youth participants will complete the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), a 36-item questionnaire assessing emotional dysregulation. Participants indicate how often each item applies to them on a scale from 1="almost never; 0-10 percent" to 5= "almost always; 91-100 percent".

    Measured: 18 months to 21 months

  36. Change in emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)

    Youth participants will complete the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), a 36-item questionnaire assessing emotional dysregulation. Participants indicate how often each item applies to them on a scale from 1="almost never; 0-10 percent" to 5= "almost always; 91-100 percent".

    Measured: 21 months to 24 months

  37. Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (18-item)

    During follow-up visits, participants, parents, and/or siblings who are participating in therapy sessions will complete an 18-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. This assesses clients' satisfaction of the service (responses range from quite dissatisfied to very satisfied) as well as whether or not the service addressed the clients' needs.

    Measured: 3 months

  38. Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (18-item)

    During follow-up visits, participants, parents, and/or siblings who are participating in therapy sessions will complete an 18-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. This assesses clients' satisfaction of the service (responses range from quite dissatisfied to very satisfied) as well as whether or not the service addressed the clients' needs.

    Measured: 6 months

  39. Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (18-item)

    During follow-up visits, participants, parents, and/or siblings who are participating in therapy sessions will complete an 18-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. This assesses clients' satisfaction of the service (responses range from quite dissatisfied to very satisfied) as well as whether or not the service addressed the clients' needs.

    Measured: 9 months

  40. Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (18-item)

    During follow-up visits, participants, parents, and/or siblings who are participating in therapy sessions will complete an 18-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. This assesses clients' satisfaction of the service (responses range from quite dissatisfied to very satisfied) as well as whether or not the service addressed the clients' needs.

    Measured: 12 months

  41. Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (18-item)

    During follow-up visits, participants, parents, and/or siblings who are participating in therapy sessions will complete an 18-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. This assesses clients' satisfaction of the service (responses range from quite dissatisfied to very satisfied) as well as whether or not the service addressed the clients' needs.

    Measured: 15 months

  42. Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (18-item)

    During follow-up visits, participants, parents, and/or siblings who are participating in therapy sessions will complete an 18-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. This assesses clients' satisfaction of the service (responses range from quite dissatisfied to very satisfied) as well as whether or not the service addressed the clients' needs.

    Measured: 18 months

  43. Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (18-item)

    During follow-up visits, participants, parents, and/or siblings who are participating in therapy sessions will complete an 18-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. This assesses clients' satisfaction of the service (responses range from quite dissatisfied to very satisfied) as well as whether or not the service addressed the clients' needs.

    Measured: 21 months

  44. Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (18-item)

    During follow-up visits, participants, parents, and/or siblings who are participating in therapy sessions will complete an 18-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. This assesses clients' satisfaction of the service (responses range from quite dissatisfied to very satisfied) as well as whether or not the service addressed the clients' needs.

    Measured: 24 months

  45. Change in affective lability using the Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS)

    The Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS) is a reliable 20-item adolescent- and parent-reported measure of mood lability, derived from the adult Affective Lability Scale that was specifically designed for adults with BD. It yields a total score as well as an angry/depressed factor and a disinhibited/impersistent factor. Total scores can vary from 0 to 80, with lower scores indicating a lesser degree of affective lability.

    Measured: Baseline to 3 months

  46. Change in affective lability using the Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS)

    The Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS) is a reliable 20-item adolescent- and parent-reported measure of mood lability, derived from the adult Affective Lability Scale that was specifically designed for adults with BD. It yields a total score as well as an angry/depressed factor and a disinhibited/impersistent factor. Total scores can vary from 0 to 80, with lower scores indicating a lesser degree of affective lability.

    Measured: 3 months to 6 months

  47. Change in affective lability using the Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS)

    The Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS) is a reliable 20-item adolescent- and parent-reported measure of mood lability, derived from the adult Affective Lability Scale that was specifically designed for adults with BD. It yields a total score as well as an angry/depressed factor and a disinhibited/impersistent factor. Total scores can vary from 0 to 80, with lower scores indicating a lesser degree of affective lability.

    Measured: 6 months to 9 months

  48. Change in affective lability using the Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS)

    The Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS) is a reliable 20-item adolescent- and parent-reported measure of mood lability, derived from the adult Affective Lability Scale that was specifically designed for adults with BD. It yields a total score as well as an angry/depressed factor and a disinhibited/impersistent factor. Total scores can vary from 0 to 80, with lower scores indicating a lesser degree of affective lability.

    Measured: 9 months to 12 months

  49. Change in affective lability using the Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS)

    The Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS) is a reliable 20-item adolescent- and parent-reported measure of mood lability, derived from the adult Affective Lability Scale that was specifically designed for adults with BD. It yields a total score as well as an angry/depressed factor and a disinhibited/impersistent factor. Total scores can vary from 0 to 80, with lower scores indicating a lesser degree of affective lability.

    Measured: 12 months to 15 months

  50. Change in affective lability using the Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS)

    The Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS) is a reliable 20-item adolescent- and parent-reported measure of mood lability, derived from the adult Affective Lability Scale that was specifically designed for adults with BD. It yields a total score as well as an angry/depressed factor and a disinhibited/impersistent factor. Total scores can vary from 0 to 80, with lower scores indicating a lesser degree of affective lability.

    Measured: 15 months to 18 months

  51. Change in affective lability using the Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS)

    The Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS) is a reliable 20-item adolescent- and parent-reported measure of mood lability, derived from the adult Affective Lability Scale that was specifically designed for adults with BD. It yields a total score as well as an angry/depressed factor and a disinhibited/impersistent factor. Total scores can vary from 0 to 80, with lower scores indicating a lesser degree of affective lability.

    Measured: 18 months to 21 months

  52. Change in affective lability using the Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS)

    The Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS) is a reliable 20-item adolescent- and parent-reported measure of mood lability, derived from the adult Affective Lability Scale that was specifically designed for adults with BD. It yields a total score as well as an angry/depressed factor and a disinhibited/impersistent factor. Total scores can vary from 0 to 80, with lower scores indicating a lesser degree of affective lability.

    Measured: 21 months to 24 months

  53. Change in use of DBT skills with the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL)

    Youth participants will complete the DBT-WCCL, a 59-item questionnaire assessing the use of DBT skills and coping strategies. Participants indicate how often they engaged in the thought/behavior from 0= "never used" to 3= "regularly used".

    Measured: Baseline to 3 months

  54. Change in use of DBT skills with the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL)

    Youth participants will complete the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL), a 59-item questionnaire assessing the use of DBT skills and coping strategies. Participants indicate how often they engaged in the thought/behavior from 0= "never used" to 3= "regularly used".

    Measured: 3 months to 6 months

  55. Change in use of DBT skills with the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL)

    Youth participants will complete the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL), a 59-item questionnaire assessing the use of DBT skills and coping strategies. Participants indicate how often they engaged in the thought/behavior from 0= "never used" to 3= "regularly used".

    Measured: 6 months to 9 months

  56. Change in use of DBT skills with the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL)

    Youth participants will complete the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL), a 59-item questionnaire assessing the use of DBT skills and coping strategies. Participants indicate how often they engaged in the thought/behavior from 0= "never used" to 3= "regularly used".

    Measured: 9 months to 12 months

  57. Change in use of DBT skills with the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL)

    Youth participants will complete the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL), a 59-item questionnaire assessing the use of DBT skills and coping strategies. Participants indicate how often they engaged in the thought/behavior from 0= "never used" to 3= "regularly used".

    Measured: 12 months to 15 months

  58. Change in use of DBT skills with the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL)

    Youth participants will complete the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL), a 59-item questionnaire assessing the use of DBT skills and coping strategies. Participants indicate how often they engaged in the thought/behavior from 0= "never used" to 3= "regularly used".

    Measured: 15 months to 18 months

  59. Change in use of DBT skills with the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL)

    Youth participants will complete the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL), a 59-item questionnaire assessing the use of DBT skills and coping strategies. Participants indicate how often they engaged in the thought/behavior from 0= "never used" to 3= "regularly used".

    Measured: 18 months to 21 months

  60. Change in use of DBT skills with the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL)

    Youth participants will complete the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL), a 59-item questionnaire assessing the use of DBT skills and coping strategies. Participants indicate how often they engaged in the thought/behavior from 0= "never used" to 3= "regularly used".

    Measured: 21 months to 24 months

  61. Childhood Trust Events Survey (CTES)

    Youth will complete the CTES long-form, adolescent version, a 30-item self-report screening survey that assesses exposure to adversity across a breadth of domains including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; alcohol/drug users in home; family members in prison; caregiver with mental illness; domestic violence; loss/separation from caregiver; and other traumatic events. In addition, the CTES queries the age and perceived intensity of each type of adversity. Parents will complete the caregiver version of the CTES, a 26-item survey that asks if their child has been exposed to the same domains of adversity as queried in the adolescent version.

    Measured: Baseline

  62. Number, frequency, and type of therapy sessions

    The Therapy Tracking Form will be used to document the date of the therapy session, type of session, session duration, content, and scheduled date for next therapy visit. This form will be completed by the study therapist after each therapy session.

    Measured: At the end of study completion (5 years)

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Adherence score for DBT booster sessions measured using a modified version of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Adherence Checklist - Individual Therapy

    Video recordings will be rated for adherence using a modified version of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Adherence Checklist - Individual Therapy (DBT AC-I) [54]. The 12 DBT strategy domains will be rated as yes/no: 1) structural strategies; 2) problem assessment strategies; 3) problem solving strategies; 4) contingency management strategies; 5) exposure strategies; 6) cognitive modification strategies; 7) validation strategies; 8) reciprocal communication strategies; 9) irreverent communication strategies; 10) dialectical strategies; 11) case management strategies; 12) protocols.

    Measured: At the end of study completion (five years)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted10 Dec 2021
  2. Study start1 Nov 2021
  3. Primary completionMar 2028 (estimated)
  4. Study completionMar 2029 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Sequential
Model description
This study is targeted toward youth with and/or at familial risk for BD who, at intake, do not want and/or require full DBT. Participants will be enrolled into Level 1 - Enhanced Care or Level 2 - DBT Skills Training; for those whose circumstances change during the course of the study, such that they want and/or require full dose DBT, the intervention also includes potential dose escalation up through Level 3 - DBT Full Intervention. As the levels escalate, frequency of therapy sessions and contact with study therapist will increase. Dosing decisions will be driven by a combination of risk indicators and symptom severity, with an emphasis on emotional dysregulation, suicidality, and functional impairment, along with patient preference. Participants who are initially enrolled into Levels 1 or 2 will be able to escalate to Level 3 up until the end of their first year of enrollment. This is to ensure that they will have time to receive one full year of the DBT intervention.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
60 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05153369
Sponsor's protocol ID
009/2021
Acronym
DB3
Status last verified
Sep 2026
First submitted
5 Nov 2021
Last updated
1 Oct 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Enhanced Care, DBT Skills Training and Dialectical Behavior Therapy Full Intervention in people with Bipolar Disorder, run by Centre for Addiction and Mental Health at 1 site in Canada.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Amanda Moss, MSW (416-535-8501 ext. 33227, amanda.moss@camh.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in symptoms using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders (SIDP-IV): Borderline Personality Disorder (time frame: Baseline to 6 months). The study lists 62 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Oct 2026.

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