Journal of Personality Disorders, 22(5), 483–495, 2008  2008 The Guilford Press A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A REINTEGRATION TRAINING PROGRAM VERSUS BOOSTER SESSIONS AFTER SHORT-TERM INPATIENT PSYCHOTHERAPY Moniek Thunnissen, PhD, Hugo Duivenvoorden, PhD, Jan Busschbach, PhD, Leona Hakkaart-van Roijen, PhD, Willem van Tilburg, PhD, Roel Verheul, PhD, Wim Trijsburg, PhD Although several studies show symptomatic improvements in patients with personality disorders after short-term inpatient psychotherapy, re- integration remains difficult. In this study the effectiveness of a specifi- cally designed reintegration training program is investigated. One hundred twenty-eight patients were randomized to either a rein- tegration training program aimed at improving general functioning and work resumption, or booster sessions. Outcome measures used were symptom level, work status, absence from and impediments at work. The results showed that compliance in the booster session group was significantly better than in the reintegration training program. The per- centage of persons with a paid job increased during the booster ses- sions from 64 to 87%, but not during the reintegration training (76%). There were no differences in the other outcome measures. We concluded that reintegration training was not more (cost)-effective than booster sessions. Our hypothesis is that continuity of care (same therapists and program) explains the favorable results of the booster sessions. Psychotherapy for patients with personality disorders is effective (Leich- senring & Leibing, 2003) although long-term treatment seems necessary for structural changes to occur, e.g., with respect to defense style (Piper, From GGZ WNB Mental Health Care West North Brabant, Halsteren, the Netherlands (M. T.); Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Erasmus MC (M.T., H. D., J. B., W. J.); Institute for Medical Technology Assessment, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, The Netherlands (L. H.-V. R.); Versprong Institute for Studies on Personality Disorders (VISPD), Halsteren, the Netherlands (M. T., J. B., R. V.); Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands (W. V. T.); GGZ Buitenamstel, Amsterdam, the Netherlands (W. V. J.); and University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands (R. V., W. T.). We would like to thank the patients who participated in this study, and the research depart- ment of de Viersprong VISPD, especially Mrs. E. Havermans, for their dedication to collect the data as completely as possible. This study was supported financially by the Centre of Psychotherapy de Viersprong in Halsteren and GGZWNB in Bergen op Zoom. Address correspondence to Moniek Thunnissen, GGZ WNB Mental Health Care West North Brabant, Postbox 371, 4600 AJ, Halsteren, the Netherlands; E-mail: m.thunn@xs4all.nl 483