Clinical trial NCT00667212: Psychotherapy for Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Official title: Individual Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy for Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Anger
Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Keywords: anger
intermittent
explosive
Lead sponsor: University of Chicago
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2008-04-28
Enrollment: 44
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 55
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: FACTORIAL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The goal of this study is to examine the effectiveness two forms of psychotherapy (also known as "talk therapy" ) for individuals with anger and aggression problems. Anger and aggression are everywhere - on the road, in the schools, at little league games, at home, and at work. In this study we are testing usefulness of anger management techniques in reducing symptoms of Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED) and impulsive, aggressive behavior.

Detailed description: Qualified participants will be randomly assigned to 12 1-hour sessions of either cognitive-behavioral therapy or supportive psychotherapy.

Participation in this study will require 13 visits over approximately 4 months with a 3 follow-up session. Therapy is provided at no cost and each study participant will receive a comprehensive psychological assessment. Two types of talk therapy are being offered in this study. One form of therapy focuses on thought and behaviors associated with anger and aggression. This type of therapy is known as cognitive behavioral therapy. The other type of therapy focuses on the individuals' feeling about their anger /aggression and the situations that lead to this anger. This is known as supportive therapy. The form of therapy you are given will be randomly determined (like by flipping of a coin).

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Have problems with anger, temper outbursts, being irritable, getting in trouble at work or at home because of impulsive/aggressive behavior.
* Between the ages of 18 and 55.
* Meet other eligibility requirements as outlined by the research protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Lifetime diagnosis of psychosis or bipolar disorder
* Current diagnosis of substance dependence or major depressive disorder.
* Current suicidal or homicidal ideation,
* Recent use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (past month) or other psychotropic medication (past two months)
* Recent psychotherapy for aggression (past six months.)

Primary outcomes:
measure: Change in Overt Aggression Scale - Modified (OASM) Score
timeFrame: Up to 12 months
measure: Change in State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory - Trait Anger Scale [STAXI-2]
timeFrame: Up to 12 months
measure: Change in Hostile Automatic Thoughts (HAT) Scale
timeFrame: Up to 12 months
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Change in Self-Report of Aggression and Social Behavior Measure (SRASBM) Score
timeFrame: Up to 12 months
measure: Change in Social Information Processing-Attribution and Emotional Response Questionnaire (SIP-AEQ) Score
timeFrame: Up to 12 months
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Chicago
country: United States
facility: University of Chicago
state: Illinois
Study officials:
affiliation: University of Chicago
name: Michael McCloskey, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: