Scientific board
Theresa Wilberg:
M.D, PhD, Chief coordinator.
Sigmund Karterud:
M.D, PhD, Professor.
Torill Irion:
B.A, Unit Director.
Øyvind Urnes:
M.D, Consultant Psychiatrist.
Merete Johansen:
M.D, Consultant Psychiatrist.
Geir Pedersen:
M.A, Research fellow.
Benjamin Hummelen:
M.D, Research fellow.
Espen Arnevik:
M.A, Research fellow.
Frida Gullestad:
M.A, Research fellow.
Hanne S. Dahl:
M.A, Research fellow.
Veslemøy Bull-Njaa:
Secretary.

Cooperating organizations
Ullevål University Hospital:
Psychiatric Division, Oslo, Norway.
University of Oslo (UiO):
Institute of psychiatry, Norway.
Prof. Anthony Bateman:
M.D. St. Ann's Hospital and University College, London, England.
Prof. Roel Verheul:
Ph.D. University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Pat Crittenden:
Ph.D. Miami, U.S.A.
Nuno Torres:
M.A. Research fellow, University of Essex, England.
Prof. Bob Hinshelwood:
University of Essex, England.
Prof. Lars Mehlum:
M.D, PhD. The Suicide Research and Prevention Unit, Oslo, Norway.
Prof. Jon Monsen:
PhD. University of Oslo, Norway.
Per Johan Isdahl:
M.A. Eating disorder unit, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Prof. Finn Skårderud:
M.D. Unit for child and adolescence psychiatry, Oslo, Norway.
Norwegian Institute of group analysis:
Director Thor Kr. Island, M.D. Oslo, Norway.
Vidar Halsteinli:
M.A. SINTEF, Trondheim, Norway.

Ulleval Personality Project (UPP)

A randomised controlled study of intensive day treatment followed by long-term outpatient conjoint individual and group psychotherapy treatment, compared with eclectic individual therapy for poorly functioning patients with personality disorders.

Synopsis | Theoretical frames | Treatment | Goals | Design | Hypotheses | Methods | Schedule | References | Publications | Presentations

Materials and methods:

Material: 114 patients with personality disorders (PD), referred to assessment at The Personality Clinic, Department for Personality Psychiatry, Psychiatric Division, Ullevål University Hospital, and found to be suitable for the experimental treatment (18 weeks of treatment at day centre, followed by long-term group and individual therapy).

Exclusion criteria: Patients with schizotypal PD, antisocial PD (adult type), ongoing alcohol or drug dependence, psychotic disorder, bipolar I, ADHD (adult type), developmental disorder (e.g. Asperger), organic syndroms, homeless.

Manual: A manual has been developed, describing the theoretical rationale, procedures and guidelines for treatment.

Baseline assessment: 6-7 hours examination according to the test battery and procedures described in the guidelines.

Randomization to: 1) Experimental condition: long-term combined treatment, 2) Control condition: Eclectic individual therapy. Each condition will involve approx. 60 patients.

Prospective evaluation: T1: Baseline: assessment at the clinic, T2: 8 months (day hospital treatment will then have been completed), T3: 18 months, T4: 36 months, T5: 72 months. The instrument package is extensive and well-established in psychiatric treatment research (SCL-90R, CIP, NEO-PI-R, DAPP, SIPP, Beck, Spielberger, etc.)

Assessment procedures and reliability: Initial diagnostic evaluation and assessments are performed by diagnostic experts at the clinic. Reliability testing is performed for MINI, SCID-II, GAF, Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) and Affect Awareness Interview (ABI). The follow-up research interviews at 8, 18, 36, and 72 months are carried out by scholarship holders and research assistants. As part of the 36 months follow-up investigation that patients will be re-diagnosed and the AAI and ABI will be repeated by independent evaluators.

Registration of group therapy: All outpatient group therapy sessions (total of approx. 800) are video-taped.