(PS8-D78) Comparing Efficacy of Telehealth versus Face-to-face Administration of Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Reducing Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder in a Veteran Sample

As telehealth use increases, providers must understand the impact of treatment modality on the efficacy of our evidence-based approaches to psychotherapy. The use of telehealth has the benefit of increasing access to care for those with complex and high-risk presentations, such as those with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) being treated with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Existing research on the telehealth implementation of DBT suggests that it is feasible and effective when compared with face-to-face administration. However, additional research investigating the comparative efficacy of telehealth administration on reducing BPD symptoms is still needed, particularly among the veteran population. This study aims to assist in clinical application by comparing the efficacy of telehealth and face-to-face DBT on reducing BPD symptoms, in a veteran sample. Veterans diagnosed with BPD (N=70) were treated for up to one year in a high-fidelity DBT program during which time the BSL-23 and DERS were administered twice to assess BPD symptoms. Analyses were conducted in a sample of veterans sorted into two groups based on the modality in which they engaged with all or most of their treatment: face-to-face (n=39) and telehealth (n=31). As measured by the BSL-23, there was no significant effect for treatment modality, t(68)=.97, p=.34, despite F2F participants (M=19.49, SD=26.7) showing a larger decrease in symptoms compared to VVC participants (M=14.03, SD=18.3). Analyses of the DERS were consistent, showing no significant effect for treatment modality, t(63)=-.49, p=.63, between VVC participants (M=29.5, SD=37.3) and F2F participants (M=26.0, SD=30.0). Additional analyses were conducted to determine whether differences would emerge when veterans were sorted into three groups that more specifically described their engagement with the program: all face-to-face (n=39), all telehealth (n=24), and hybrid treatment (n=7). One-way ANOVAs were performed to compare the effect of treatment modality on BPD symptom change, revealing that there was not a statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of treatment based on modality as measured by the BSL-23 (F(2,67)=.88, p=.42) or DERS (F(2,62)=.12, p=.89). The results indicate that treatment modality does not significantly impact the efficacy of DBT treatment for veterans diagnosed with BPD. Results are preliminary as data collection is ongoing. Updated results will be presented. These results expand on existing research surrounding veteran care and support the continued use of telehealth in the management of BPD symptoms as this area of research develops.