Feasibility Study for Treating Trichotillomania With Wearable Device and App System

HabitAware

Status: Completed

Conditions: Trichotillomania

Treatments: Behavioral: Device and app system designed for participant to self-administer Habit Reversal Training; Behavioral: Reminder bracelet control condition

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Industry; NIH

Identifiers

NCT04241120

31257150

R43MH114773 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

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 was created. In this study, we will test the feasibility of the HabitAware device and accompanying app as a system for delivering self-administered habit reversal training (HRT).

Enrollment: 15 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. 18 years of age or older
2. Speak fluent English
3. Current diagnosis of TTM
4. Score above the normative mean on the automatic pulling subscale of the MIST-A
5. Not on psychotropic medication or on a stable dose (i.e., same dose for past 6 weeks)

Exclusion criteria

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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15 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Experimental group - HabitAware condition

Experimental group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Device and app system designed for participant to self-administer Habit Reversal Training

Control group - reminder bracelet condition

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

This group will receive only a device that vibrates randomly several times per hour as a reminder not to pull.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Reminder bracelet control condition