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Comprehensive Behavioral Treatment of Trichotillomania: A Treatment Development Study
Martha J Falkenstein1, Suzanne Mouton-Odum2, Charles S Mansueto3
1American University, Washington, DC, USA mf0136a@american.edu.
Behavior Modification
|December 9, 2015
Summary
This study developed and pilot tested the Comprehensive Behavioral (ComB) treatment for trichotillomania (TTM), showing promising results for symptom reduction and improved quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Behavioral Science
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Trichotillomania (TTM) is a disorder characterized by recurrent hair pulling.
- Comprehensive Behavioral (ComB) treatment has been used clinically for decades but lacked empirical study and a formal manual.
- Individualized treatment is crucial for managing factors maintaining TTM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and pilot test the Comprehensive Behavioral (ComB) treatment for trichotillomania (TTM).
- To create a manual and reliable measures for ComB treatment to facilitate future randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Main Methods:
- A ComB treatment manual was drafted and revised based on patient and therapist feedback.
- An intervention choice study confirmed therapists' reliable selection of model-consistent interventions.
- A therapist adherence measure was developed and tested.
- Uncontrolled preliminary data were collected to assess acceptability and efficacy.
Main Results:
- The ComB treatment manual and adherence measures were successfully developed.
- ComB treatment was found to be highly acceptable to patients.
- Preliminary data indicated significant reductions in TTM symptom severity and impairment.
- Improvements in quality of life and disability were observed and maintained at follow-up.
Conclusions:
- The developed ComB treatment manual and measures are suitable for a future randomized controlled trial (RCT).
- ComB treatment shows potential as an effective intervention for trichotillomania.
- Further research through an RCT is warranted to confirm the efficacy of ComB for TTM.
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