Online Response Inhibition Training for Trichotillomania
TrichotillomaniaTrichotillomania (TTM) remains one of the most poorly-understood and inadequately-treated conditions. Research has shown poor response inhibition (RI; the ability to inhibit inappropriate but potent response) as an important cognitive feature of TTM. Investigators have developed a computerized training program that aims to improve RI. Fifty children with TTM will be randomly assigned to (a) online 8-session RI training (n=25), or (b) 1-month waitlist condition (n = 25), and will be assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and 1-month follow-up. Investigators hypothesize that the online RIT will show greater improvement in TTM symptoms and RI capabilities at post-treatment and 1-month follow-up assessments, compared to the waitlist condition. This study will help develop an effective cognitive intervention program for TTM.
Developing Effective Response Inhibition Training for Symptom Relief in OCD and Trichotillomania...
Obsessive Compulsive DisorderTrichotillomaniaObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and its related disorders (e.g., trichotillomania) are characterized by the marked difficulty in inhibiting unwanted or inappropriate responses. There is compelling evidence that poor response inhibition is a core cognitive feature of OCD and its related disorders, but no effective intervention exists that directly attempts to address this problematic cognitive deficiency. This study will examine the feasibility and clinical utility of a computerized cognitive training program designed to improve response inhibition among individuals diagnosed with OCD or trichotillomania.This training program offers systematic practice of response inhibition in the form of a 40-level computer game. Individuals with these conditions will be randomized to either 8 sessions of (a) computerized response inhibition training (RIT) or (b) placebo computer training (PLT). We hypothesize that RIT will outperform PLT in improving response inhibition capabilities and reducing relevant clinical symptoms. In sum, this project is expected to generate important knowledge to guide the development of effective computer-based treatment approaches that may help reduce critical problems of existing treatments such as suboptimal patient retention and treatment under-utilization, thereby improving overall treatment response rates among individuals suffering from OCD and related conditions.
Inositol in Trichotillomania
TrichotillomaniaHair PullingThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of inositol for the treatment of compulsive hair pulling, also known as trichotillomania. Inositol is used for diabetic nerve pain, panic disorder, high cholesterol, insomnia, cancer, depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, promoting hair growth, a skin disorder called psoriasis, and treating side effects of medical treatment with some medications, including lithium. The hypothesis to be tested is that Inositol will be effective and well tolerated in patients with trichotillomania compared to placebo. The proposed study will provide needed data on the treatment of the disabling disorder that currently lacks a clearly effective treatment.
Habit Reversal Training for Children and Adolescents With Trichotillomania
TrichotillomaniaThe purpose of the current study is: To evaluate the effectiveness of a habit reversal training (HRT) approach for children ages 7 to 17 years of age inclusive with a diagnosis of trichotillomania. To explore factors that may relate to symptom severity, treatment outcome, and psychosocial impairment (e.g., specific symptom presence, co-morbidity, emotional regulation).
Stepped Care in the Treatment of Trichotillomania
TrichotillomaniaTrichotillomania (TTM), repetitive pulling out of one's own hair to the extent that noticeable hair loss occurs, is a distressing condition interfering substantially with functioning and quality of life. The longterm objective of this research is to determine whether psychological treatment of TTM could be disseminated more effectively by using a stepped care model in which less intensive interventions are tried first, with more intensive interventions used only if initial treatment proves insufficient. This project is a pilot study of the first two steps in a stepped care model of treatment. After baseline assessment, 50 participants with TTM will be randomly assigned to (a) Immediate condition, in which they are offered 10-week self-help treatment via an interactive website (Step 1) or (b) Wait List/Delayed Start condition, a 10-week wait list prior to being offered Step 1. In each condition, at the end of Step 1, participants will be offered 8 weeks of in-person habit reversal training provided by psychology graduate students (Step 2). TTM symptoms will be measured from baseline through a follow-up 3 months after the end of Step 2, as will depression, anxiety, quality of life, functional impairment , treatment utilization, and treatment satisfaction. The specific aims of the study are: To gather preliminary data on the efficacy of web-based self-help, compared to wait list control; To characterize the acceptability of stepped care to patients with TTM by assessing the proportion of enrolled participants who proceed from step 1 to step 2 treatment; To evaluate the convergent validity of four decision rules for concluding that a patient with TTM has benefited sufficiently from a treatment step: (a) No longer meeting TTM diagnostic criteria; (b) Showing a 25% or greater reduction in total scores on self-report and clinician-rated TTM symptoms; (c) achieving complete abstinence from hair-pulling; and (d) clinically significant response on both self-report and clinician-rated TTM symptom measures To evaluate the concurrent and predictive validity of criteria for sufficient benefit from a treatment step by relating them to treatment satisfaction, treatment utilization, and scores on a measure of functional impairment from TTM.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Trichotillomania
TrichotillomaniaThis study aims to develop a comprehensive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy protocol for adult patients with Trichotillomania that emphasizes relapse prevention and that addresses comorbid affective symptoms, as well. The study will compare the efficacy of CBT with a minimal attention control (MAC)condition. We hypothesize that outcome at post-treatment, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up will be better for the CBT vs. MAC condition including higher responder rates and greater reduction in hair pulling severity.
Trial of Aripiprazole in Trichotillomania
TrichotillomaniaNo medication has been reliably shown to benefit those suffering from trichotillomania (compulsive hair pulling). The current study proposes to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication aripiprazole for treatment of trichotillomania (TTM). Patients will take a gradually increased dose of the medication in an open-label study to see whether it relieves hair-pulling urges, decreases hair pulling behavior and is well tolerated.
Examining Behavior Therapy for Trichotillomania in Children and Adolescents
TrichotillomaniaThis study will evaluate a treatment for trichotillomania, or compulsive hair pulling, in children and adolescents.
Internet CBT for Trichotillomania and Skin Picking Disorder
TrichotillomaniaExcoriation (Skin-Picking) DisorderThe primary aim of the study is to test the feasibility, safety and efficacy of a manual based, Internet-delivered, behavior therapy (I-BT) for trichotillomania and skin picking disorder.
Trichotillomania: Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
TrichotillomaniaObjective: Trichotillomania is a psychiatric condition characterized by chronic pulling and plucking of one's own hair. Cognitive behavioral therapy shows promise as a treatment. However, there have been no randomized, controlled studies of the efficacy of group cognitive-behavioral therapy. Methods: We evaluated 44 subjects, whom met the criteria for a diagnosis of trichotillomania. Subjects were randomized to receive 22 sessions of either group cognitive-behavioral therapy or group supportive therapy (control).