Telepsychotherapy for the Treatment of Adolescents With Trichotillomania



Status:Recruiting
Conditions:Psychiatric
Therapuetic Areas:Psychiatry / Psychology
Healthy:No
Age Range:12 - 17
Updated:11/1/2018
Start Date:August 6, 2018
End Date:August 5, 2020
Contact:Jeremiah E Fruge, BA
Email:jeremiah.fruge@aggiemail.usu.edu
Phone:435-797-8303

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The primary purpose of the current study is to evaluate the effectiveness of providing
treatment for adolescents with trichotillomania through the use of telehealth. Parent or
legal guardians' psychological flexibility scores will be assessed to determine if their
levels of flexibility potentially moderate treatment outcomes.

The study will test the following hypotheses:

Hypothesis 1: Telepsychotherapy will result in significantly better trichotillomania symptom
outcomes for adolescents than a waitlist control condition.

Hypothesis 2: Telepsychotherapy will result in significantly better psychological flexibility
outcomes for adolescents than a waitlist control condition.

Hypothesis 3: Telepsychotherapy will result in significantly better overall wellbeing
outcomes for adolescents than a waitlist control condition.

Hypothesis 4: Within-group changes (that include both conditions following treatment) will be
significant from pre-treatment to post-treatment and will not significantly differ from
post-treatment at 3, 6, and 12-month follow-up.

The investigators of this study plan to recruit 60 participants, 30 adolescents and 30
parents or legal guardians. This number will provide adequate power (0.70) to detect a large
effect size (d=.81). All portions of this study will be completed online using
teleconferencing software, Zoom (similar to Skype).

Participants will be randomized into either a treatment or waitlist control group. All
participants will receive treatment, however, those in the waitlist group will wait 12 weeks
before beginning treatment. Treatment will consist of 10, 50 minute sessions with up to six
short (10-15 minute) booster sessions during a three-month period following treatment.
Participants and parents/guardians will complete full assessment batteries at intake,
post-waitlist (only those in the waitlist condition), post-treatment, and 3, 6, and 12 months
following treatment. Moreover, adolescent participants will be asked to track their daily
pulling behavior each day while in treatment(with parent/guardian help if desired). This will
be done through the use of daily text message reminders using app.eztexting.com to the
parent/guardian that will include a link to the short (less then 5 minute) Qualtrics survey.
All treatment sessions will take place online using video conferencing software (i.e., Zoom).

Parents/guardians will be invited to participate in the final 10 minutes of each session.
This will allow for the adolescent to review what they have learned and also allow the
parent/guardian to be involved in the fulfillment of treatment goals and to assist with
skill-building throughout the week. Parents will also be give a short (1/2 to 1 page) handout
following each session that will explain what was taught and how they can best help the
participant make progress. Parents will also be asked to complete a short measure of
psychological flexibility at intake, post-waitlist (only when applicable), post-treatment,
and 3, 6, and 12-months following treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Meet DSM-5 criteria for trichotillomania.

- Seeking treatment primarily for trichotillomania-related concerns.

- 12-17 years old.

- Reside in Utah.

- Speak fluent English.

Parents:

- Must be fluent English speaker.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Currently receiving psychotherapy.

- Started or changed psychotropic medication in the past 30 days.

- Planning to start or change psychotropic medication during the course of the current
study.

- Completed high school.
We found this trial at
1
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Logan, Utah 84322
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Logan, UT
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