Trichotillomania: Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Objective: 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).

Official Title
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Group Treatment for Trichotillomania: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Versus Supportive Therapy

Conditions
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Trichotillomania

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Cognitive-behavioral therapy.
* Other: Supportive therapy.


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients having been diagnosed with trichotillomania according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) criteria; being at least 18 years of age; and having had four or more years of schooling. Exclusion Criteria: Patients that having been diagnosed with trichotillomania according to DSM-IV criteria; having less of 18 years of age; and having less of four years of schooling. Patients with a history of suicidal ideation, Patients with any clinical pathology requiring emergency treatment at admission, Patients with mental retardation or any other central nervous system disorder that severely impairs cognitive function, those with a psychotic disorder, those currently being treated with psychotropic drugs, those with any DSM-IV axis II diagnosis, those who scored ≤ 2 on the MGH-HPS in an initial screening.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Quadruple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Group cognitive-behavioral therapy<br>22 subjects, all of whom met the criteria for a diagnosis of trichotillomania established in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Subjects receive 22 sessions of group cognitive-behavioral therapy. | Behavioral: Cognitive-behavioral therapy.<br>* Subjects receive 22 sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Group supportive therapy (control)<br>22 subjects, all of whom met the criteria for a diagnosis of trichotillomania established in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Subjects receive 22 sessions of group supportive therapy (control). | Other: Supportive therapy.<br>* Subjects receive 22 sessions of supportive therapy.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Hairpulling Scale (HPS) | The MGH-HPS comprises seven self-report items that are scored on a Likert scale (0-4 points).22 Higher MGH-HPS scores correspond to greater severity of trichotillomania symptoms. Reference: Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Journal 1995;64:141-5 | 22 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) | The BDI consists of 21 items, scored from 0 to 3, higher scores corresponding to greater severity of depression. It is a self-report measure of depression that is widely used in research and in clinical practice. Reference: Archives of General Psychiatry 1961;4:53-63. | 22 weeks |