Technology Assisted Treatment for Trichotillomania

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Trichotillomania
• Interventions: Behavioral: Device and app system designed for participant to self-administer Habit Reversal Training and Stimulus Control; Behavioral: Reminder bracelet and journaling app control condition

• Registration Number: NCT05118633
• Lead Sponsor: HabitAware Inc.

Brief Summary

Trichotillomania is characterized by recurrent hair pulling resulting in hair loss causing significant distress and impairment which persists despite repeated attempts to stop. Behavioral based therapies focused on increasing awareness of hair pulling followed by the use of an incompatible behavior have proven effective. In an effort to enhance awareness, a wrist worn motion detection device and a companion mobile application was created. In this study, we will test the initial efficacy of the HabitAware device and accompanying app as a system for delivering self-administered habit reversal training (HRT).

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2021-11-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-11-02
• Study First Posted: 2021-11-12
• Status Verified: 2023-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-02-28
• Last Update Posted: 2023-03-02
• Study Start: 2024-02
• Primary Completion: 2024-10
• Study Completion: 2024-10

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 70

Inclusion Criteria

• Willingness to participate;
• Current diagnosis of TTM (as assessed via TDI);
• Regular access to a smartphone with GPS capabilities (i.e., available for completing assessment probes throughout the day);

Exclusion Criteria

• Currently receiving psychotherapy
• Other psychiatric condition requiring more immediate care
• Have previously used any behavior awareness devices (e.g. Keen)

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Experimental group - HabitAware condition	Device and app system designed for participant to self-administer Habit Reversal Training and Stimulus Control	This group will receive the device which alerts the participant when performing hair pulling behavior and the app which provides psychoeducation and components of Habit Reversal Training.
Control group - reminder bracelet condition	Reminder bracelet and journaling app control condition	This group will receive only a device that vibrates randomly several times per hour as a reminder not to pull, as well as being asked to journal about their daily activities in an app.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Improvement in clinical symptoms amongst participants	Eight weeks	Demonstrated improvement in clinical symptoms on the MGH-HPS and/or NIMH-TSS for those in the HabitAware condition.