Physical activity in people with borderline personality disorder: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Purpose. Treatments for mental disorders, such as pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions, do not always guarantee symptomatic remission. The effectiveness of Physical Activity (PA) in improving the psycho- physical health of individuals with various mental disorders is well-established; however, its effects on borderline personality disorder (BPD) have yet to be adequately studied. Currently, there are not approved pharmacological treatments for BPD, and access to effective psychotherapeutic interventions remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a PA programme as an adjunctive treatment for patients with BPD, in comparison with a control treatment. Objectives include reducing BPD symptoms and improving PA levels, as well as physical and psychological health. Methods. PABORD is a randomised controlled trial (RCT) targeting female outpatients aged 18-40 with a diagnosis of BPD. The intervention group (n=32) will participate in a structured 12-week PA programme, supervised by a sports physician and preceded by three psychoeducational sessions on healthy eating habits. The control group (n=32) will receive 8 parallel psychoeducational sessions focusing on PA, diet, and the risks associated with sedentary behaviour. Standardised assessments will be conducted at baseline, at the end of the intervention, and three months post-intervention. Results. Not yet available. Discussion and conclusions. The PA programme is expected to outperform the control treatment in terms of health status and PA levels at the end of the intervention. Repeated clinical assessments will aid in identifying psychosocial factors associated with the maintenance of PA. The study may provide valuable insights that could improve therapeutic options for patients with BPD.