Recommendations and future directions for the scientific study of dialectical behavior therapy: emphasizing replication and reproducibility

Abstract The empirical evidence in support of standard or comprehensive dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for the treatment of borderline personality disorder is based upon a strong theoretical narrative as well as empirical evidence derived from several replicated randomized-controlled trials. The purpose of this chapter is to review the scientific principles of replication and reproducibility as they relate to the continued advancement and interpretation of research on DBT-based interventions. The challenges faced by DBT research include an increased proliferation of treatment adaptations, the inconsistent use of adherence ratings to maintain the integrity of the treatment, the multiple and inconsistent use of outcome measurement, and a lack of transparency in data analysis. A functional approach to replication, enhanced analytic-reproducibility and analytic-robustness, and the use of preregistered hypotheses and data analytic plans are recommended.