Differential effects of manual assisted cognitive behavior therapy in the treatment of recurrent deliberate self-harm and personality disturbance: the POPMACT study

Health technology The study compared manual-assisted cognitive-behaviour therapy (MACT) with treatment as usual (TAU) for patients with a history of recurrent deliberate self-harm. MACT took the form of cognitive therapy combined with some aspects of dialectical behaviour therapy. The patients were sent a 70-page manual based on cognitive-behaviour therapy and were then offered 7 treatment sessions with a therapist trained in MACT methods. Patients allocated to TAU were seen by a designated therapist and offered the standard treatment. Standard treatment varied according to area and included problem-solving approaches, dynamic psychotherapy, general practitioner (GP) or voluntary group referral, or short-term counselling. The authors referred to their other papers for further details (Tyrer et al. 2003a, 2003b, see 'Other Publications of Related Interest' below for bibliographic details).