Computerized response inhibition training for children with trichotillomania

Evidence suggests that trichotillomania is characterized by impairment in response inhibition, which is the ability to suppress pre-potent/dominant but inappropriate responses. This study sought to test the feasibility of computerized response inhibition training for children with trichotillomania....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychiatry research 2018-04, Vol.262, p.20-27
Main Authors: Lee, Han-Joo, Espil, Flint M., Bauer, Christopher C., Siwiec, Stephan G., Woods, Douglas W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Behavior Control - methods
Child
Feasibility Studies
Female
Hair pulling
Humans
Inhibition (Psychology)
Male
Response inhibition
Response inhibition training
Severity of Illness Index
Treatment Outcome
Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania - psychology
Trichotillomania - therapy
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Summary:Evidence suggests that trichotillomania is characterized by impairment in response inhibition, which is the ability to suppress pre-potent/dominant but inappropriate responses. This study sought to test the feasibility of computerized response inhibition training for children with trichotillomania. Twenty-two children were randomized to the 8-session response inhibition training (RIT; n = 12) or a waitlisted control (WLT; n = 10). Primary outcomes were assessed by an independent evaluator, using the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I), and the NIMH Trichotillomania Severity (NIMH-TSS) and Impairment scales (NIMH-TIS) at pre, post-training/waiting, and 1-month follow-up. Relative to the WLT group, the RIT group showed a higher response rate (55% vs. 11%) on the CGI-I and a lower level of impairment on the NIMH-TIS, at post-training. Overall symptom reductions rates on the NIMH-TSS were 34% (RIT) vs. 21% (WLT) at post-training. The RIT's therapeutic gains were maintained at 1-month follow-up, as indicated by the CGI-I responder status (= 66%), and a continuing reduction in symptom on the NIMH-TSS. This pattern of findings was also replicated by the 6 waitlisted children who received the same RIT intervention after post-waiting assessment. Results suggest that computerized RIT may be a potentially useful intervention for trichotillomania. •Trichotillomania is characterized by impairment in response inhibition.•We tested computerized response inhibition training (RIT) for children with trichotillomania.•Twenty-two children were randomized to 8-session RIT or a waitlisted control (WLT).•The RIT group showed a higher response rate at post-training than the WLT group.•RIT may be a potentially useful intervention for trichotillomania.
ISSN:0165-1781
1872-7123
DOI:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.12.070