Stepped care in the treatment of trichotillomania.
OBJECTIVE
There are effective treatments of trichotillomania (TTM), but access to expert providers is limited. This study tested a stepped care model aimed at improving access.


METHODS
Participants were 60 (95% women, 75% Caucasian, 2% Hispanic) adults (M = 33.18 years) with TTM. They were randomly assigned to immediate versus waitlist (WL) conditions for Step 1 (10 weeks of web-based self-help via StopPulling.com). After Step 1, participants chose whether to engage in Step 2 (8 sessions of in-person habit reversal training [HRT]).


RESULTS
In Step 1, the immediate condition had a small (d = .21) but significant advantage, relative to WL, in reducing TTM symptom ratings by interviewers (masked to experimental condition but not to assessment point); there were no differences in self-reported TTM symptoms, alopecia, functional impairment, or quality of life. Step 1 was more effective for those who used the site more often. Stepped care was highly acceptable: Motivation did not decrease during Step 1; treatment satisfaction was high, and 76% enrolled in Step 2. More symptomatic patients self-selected into HRT, and on average they improved significantly. Over one third (36%) made clinically significant improvement in self-reported TTM symptoms. Considering the entire stepped care program, participants significantly reduced symptoms, alopecia, and impairment, and increased quality of life. For quality of life and symptom severity, there was some relapse by 3-month follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Stepped care is acceptable, and HRT was associated with improvement. Further work is needed to determine which patients with TTM can benefit from self-help and how to reduce relapse.
Department of Psychology, American University.
Kate
K
Rogers
Department of Psychology, American University.
Maria
M
Banis
Department of Psychology, American University.
Martha J
0000-0001-5074-3409
MJ
Falkenstein
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, American University.
Elizabeth J
EJ
Malloy
Department of Psychology, American University.
Lauren
L
McDonough
Department of Psychology, American University.
Samuel O
SO
Nelson
Department of Psychology, American University.
Natalie
N
Rusch
Department of Psychology, American University.
David A F
DAF
Haaga
D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014256:Trichotillomania / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult