Technology Assisted Treatment for Trichotillomania

HabitAware

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Trichotillomania

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

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Industry

Identifiers

NCT05118633

R44MH114773

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 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).

Enrollment: 70 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

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)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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70 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 and Stimulus Control

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, as well as being asked to journal about their daily activities in an app.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Reminder bracelet and journaling app control condition