Online Response Inhibition Training for Trichotillomania

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Trichotillomania
• Interventions: Behavioral: Online cognitive training

• Registration Number: NCT01984333
• Lead Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Brief Summary

Trichotillomania (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.

Detailed Description

Although trichotillomania (TTM), an impulse control disorder characterized by compulsive hair pulling, typically results in serious consequences including impaired individual functioning, medical problems (e.g., skin infections), and elevated comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders, it remains one of the most poorly-understood and inadequately-treated psychiatric conditions. There is an urgent need for effective and accessible clinical interventions for TTM, especially for young individuals who suffer from a marked lack of adequate treatment resources despite the early onset of the condition. One promising therapeutic approach is to improve cognitive problems believed to contribute to TTM, using a computerized cognitive retraining method. Research has indicated impaired response inhibition (RI; the ability to inhibit inappropriate but potent response) as an important cognitive feature underlying TTM. Therefore, RI is considered to be an important target of cognitive retraining. Investigators have developed a computerized training program that aims to improve RI capabilities in the format of an online video game. Fifty children with TTM will be randomly assigned to (a) online 8-session RIT (n=25), or (b) 1-month waitlist condition (n = 25), and will be assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and 1-month follow-up. The waitlisted participants will also be invited to undergo the training program after the 1-month follow-up assessment is completed. 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 is expected to generate important data that will guide the development of an accessible, cost-efficient, and effective cognitive intervention for individuals suffering from TTM.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2013-11
• Study First Submitted: 2013-11-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2013-11-07
• Study First Posted: 2013-11-14
• Primary Completion: 2017-06
• Study Completion: 2017-06
• Status Verified: 2017-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-10-24
• Last Update Posted: 2017-10-26

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 54

Inclusion Criteria

• age between 8 and 17
• a diagnosis of trichotillomania
• a computer with high speed internet

Exclusion Criteria

• current substance use problems
• current or past psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia
• current behavioral treatments for trichotillomania
• significant suicidality
• severe conditions known for poor response inhibition(ADHD, OCD, and tic disorders)
• recent or planned change in medication
• low intellectual functioning (below 80)

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Online cognitive training	Online cognitive training	Online cognitive training will provides eight sessions of a computerized training game. Each session will last about 30-40 minutes, and participants will undergo 2 sessions each week over a 4-week period.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change on the NIMH Trichotillomania Severity and Impairment Scales	Baseline, 4 weeks, and 1-month Follow-up	These are clinician-rated measures for assessing the severity of trichotillomania and the impairment caused by hair pulling. This measure will be administered at baseline, at 4 weeks, and at 1-month follow-up.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change on the Clinical Global Impression Scale	Baseline, 4 weeks, and 1-month Follow-up	This is a widely used brief assessment tool for evaluating illness severity, global improvement or change, and therapeutic response. This measure will be administered at baseline, at 4 weeks, and at 1-month follow-up.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

UWM Anxiety Disorders Laboratory; 🇺🇸 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States