A protocol for MIndfulness-based Neurofeedback to augment DBT psychotherapy for adults with Borderline Personality Disorder (MIND-BPD)

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe psychiatric condition associated with high rates of suicide and poor interpersonal functioning. There are no FDA-approved medications, and evidence-based psychotherapies such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are difficult to access and vulnerable to patient dropout. Novel treatment directions are urgently needed. Mindfulness is the core skill in DBT. Our team has developed a mindfulness-based real-time neurofeedback (mbNF) paradigm where individuals learn to reduce default mode network (DMN) versus control network activation in order to increase present-moment awareness. Here, we describe the study protocol for the MIndfulness-based Neurofeedback to Augment DBT Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality Disorder (MIND-BPD) trial. Participants with BPD (N = 52) enrolled in the study will be randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to receive one session of either real or sham mbNF. Following neurofeedback, all participants will be enrolled in a 6-month DBT psychotherapy group. Supported by a R61/R33 grant from the NIH, the primary outcome of the R61 phase of this trial is change in DMN connectivity between pre- and post-NF resting-state scans, as defined by increased within-network connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), and increased connectivity between the mPFC and dorsolateral prefrontal coftex (dlPFC). Change in self-reported mindfulness between pre- and post-NF is a key secondary outcome. This study is registered in the US Clinical Trials Registry (NCT06446765).