Abstract
Acceptance-enhanced behavior therapy for trichotillomania (AEBT-TTM) is effective in reducing trichotillomania (TTM) symptoms, but the durability of treatment effects remains in question. This study analyzed 6-month follow-up data from a large randomized clinical trial comparing AEBT-TTM to an active psychoeducation and supportive therapy control (PST). Adults with TTM (N=85; 92% women) received 10 sessions of AEBT-TTM or PST across 12 weeks. Independent evaluators assessed participants at baseline, post-treatment, and 6 months follow-up. For both AEBT-TTM and PST, self-reported and evaluator-rated TTM symptom severity decreased from baseline to follow-up. TTM symptoms did not worsen from post-treatment to follow-up. At follow-up, AEBT-TTM and PST did not differ in rates of treatment response, TTM diagnosis, or symptom severity. High baseline TTM symptom severity was a stronger predictor of high follow-up severity for PST than for AEBT-TTM, suggesting AEBT-TTM may be a better option for more severe TTM. Results support the efficacy of AEBT-TTM and show that treatment gains were maintained over time. Although AEBT-TTM yielded lower symptoms at post-treatment, 6-month follow-up outcomes suggest AEBT-TTM and PST may lead to similar symptom levels in the longer term. Future research should examine mechanisms that contribute to long-term gain maintenance.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 115767 |
Journal | Psychiatry Research |
Volume | 333 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2024
Keywords
- ACT
- Behavior therapy
- Clinical trial
- Habit reversal training
- Hair-pulling disorder
- Maintenance
- Relapse
PubMed: MeSH publication types
- Journal Article