Cognitive-behavioral therapy for intermittent explosive disorder: a pilot randomized clinical trial.
No randomized clinical trials have evaluated the efficacy of psychotherapy for intermittent explosive disorder (IED). In the present study, the authors tested the efficacy of 12-week group and individual cognitive-behavioral therapies (adapted from J. L. Deffenbacher & M. McKay, 2000) by comparing them with a wait-list control in a randomized clinical trial among adults with IED (N = 45). Aggression, anger, and associated symptoms were assessed at baseline, midtreatment, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up. Group and individual cognitive-behavioral therapy tended not to differ, with each reducing aggression, anger, hostile thinking, and depressive symptoms, while improving anger control relative to wait-list participants. Posttreatment effect sizes were large. These effects were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Findings provide initial support for the use of multicomponent cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of IED.
The University of Chicago, Department of Psychiatry, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. mmcclosk@yoda.bsd.uchicago.edu
Michael S
MS
McCloskey
Kurtis L
KL
Noblett
Jerry L
JL
Deffenbacher
Jackie K
JK
Gollan
Emil F
EF
Coccaro
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D000786:Anger; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011594:Psychometrics; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012064:Relaxation Therapy