(PS14-91) Examining Clinical Outcomes from 2023 in a DBT Intensive Outpatient Program

Research examining the benefits of an IOP DBT program has shown to be beneficial in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Utilizing the intake and discharge metrics of patients who were placed in a DBT IOP program in the Southeast US scores of depression, anxiety, stress, & hopelessness were analyzed. There has been evidence accumulating to suggest the efficacy of DBT for a variety of patient populations in numerous settings, including the use of DBT skills as a stand-alone treatment as well as adapted versions of DBT in PH and IOP settings (Mochrie et al, 2020; Lothes et al, 2021). To prevent further impatient hospitalization for patients with stage-one behaviors, such as suicide attempts or self-harm behaviors (e.g., cutting), intermediary care was offered through this IOP program. Research has shown that DBT can be an effective treatment within PH and IOP programs (Mochrie et al, 2020; Lothes et al, 2021; Neuhaus, 2006). 

Eighty-six patients (56 females; 30 males) were admitted in 2023 to the program. Outpatient therapy was offered to those that did not meet medical necessity for the IOP. At intake, patients were given an intake packet that contained the BHS (hopelessness scale), PCL-5 (PTSD checklist), DASS-21 (depression, anxiety, stress), and the FFMQ (Five facts of mindfulness questionnaire). After completion of the program and before patients were discharged these same scales were administered.

All five modes of treatment were met through this IOP DBT program. Patients that were admitted that day started the program at once or started within 24hrs. In contrast to traditional weekly DBT groups, patients are not able to enter during module changes of the program. This program starts on the day patients are admitted and is a 3 day a week, 3hrs a day perpetually running program. Patients will complete one full cycle of DBT skills if they attend every day for 12 weeks. In addition to group sessions clients met with a therapist for individual therapy every week.

Findings indicated that all changes were statistically significant. Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Hopelessness all showed significant decreases. The results from the intake (M = 12.82, SD = 5.676) and discharge (M = 6.33, SD = 5.33) paperwork showed significant decreases in depression scores, p > .0001. The results from the intake (M = 9.41, SD = 5.39) and discharge (M = 6.73, SD = 4.29) paperwork showed significant decreases in anxiety scores, p > .0001. The results from the intake (M = 11.52, SD = 4.88) and discharge (M = 7.65, SD = 4.78) paperwork showed significant decreases in stress scores, p > .0001. The results from the intake (M =33.76, SD = 13.27) and discharge (M = 20.72, SD = 12.98) paperwork showed significant decreases in overall DASS scores, p > .0001.  The results from the intake (M =11.27, SD = 6.39) and discharge (M = 4.12, SD = 4.18) paperwork showed significant decreases in hopelessness scores, p > .0001.

Results indicate that delivering DBT to an IOP program can have a significant impact on symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and hopelessness. Moreover, this supports the findings from Lothes et al. (2014; 2016) with a combined and expanded sample of IOP program participants. Future research should analyze mediators and moderators of changes in the reduction of symptoms within a DBT PH program.