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14-10-2023 | Original Paper

Efficacy of Internet-based, Therapist-Assisted Treatment Programs for Hair Pulling and Skin Picking: Preliminary Results

Auteurs: Reuven Dar, Maya Schonbach, Sofia Wenzler

Gepubliceerd in: Cognitive Therapy and Research | Uitgave 1/2024

Abstract

Purpose

Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), including skin picking and hair pulling, are common behavioral problems with a lifetime prevalence of up to 5.5%. Extant research indicates that the best treatment approach for BFRBs is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), but many of those who struggle with BFRBs are either reluctant to seek treatment or lack access to a therapist with sufficient expertise and experience.

Methods

This paper presents preliminary data on the efficacy of two internet-based, therapist-assisted programs designed to treat hair pulling (TrichStop) and skin picking (SkinPick). The programs consist of evidence-based CBT components, including psychoeducation, Habit Reversal Training (HRT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). We examined changes in self-reported symptom severity of participants in the two programs between February 2019 and December 2022 who had completed at least two assessments (840 participants in SkinPick and 583 participants in TrichStop).

Results

Both programs resulted in a considerable reduction in symptom severity, with large effect sizes according to the conventional interpretation of Cohen’s d. Improvement in symptoms was progressive over time, and overall improvement correlated with the number of sessions each participant has completed.

Conclusions

This preliminary study, which is based on a large sample of participants, indicates that the two programs significantly reduce the severity of skin picking and hair pulling. The study has several limitations, including the lack of a control group, reliance on self-report based on partial scales, and paucity of demographic data, which should be addressed in future controlled studies.

vorige artikel Improving Web-Based Self-Help Adherence for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors Using Self-Control Training

volgende artikel Two-year Follow-up of Habit Reversal Training and Decoupling in a Sample with Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors

Alleen toegankelijk voor geautoriseerde gebruikers

The information on gender and age is estimated from a later cohort of participants, as these data were unfortunately not collected in the present cohort.

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Titel: Efficacy of Internet-based, Therapist-Assisted Treatment Programs for Hair Pulling and Skin Picking: Preliminary Results
Auteurs: Reuven Dar
Maya Schonbach
Sofia Wenzler
Publicatiedatum: 14-10-2023
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Cognitive Therapy and Research / Uitgave 1/2024
Print ISSN: 0147-5916
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-2819
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-023-10446-w

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