Behavior Therapy for Skin Picking Disorder

Overseen By Emily M Bowers, BS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Utah State University

Must not be taking: Psychotropic medications

Disqualifiers: Alternative psychotherapy, Under 18, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 12 weeks

84 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot start or change any psychotropic medications (drugs that affect your mood, thoughts, or behavior) 30 days before the study begins.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Acceptance-Enhanced Behavior Therapy for Skin Picking Disorder?

Research shows that Acceptance-Enhanced Behavior Therapy (AEBT) greatly reduced skin picking in participants, with similar success in treating related conditions like trichotillomania (hair pulling). In one study, most participants experienced significant reductions in skin picking, and the therapy was rated as socially acceptable, suggesting it could be an effective treatment option. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is behavior therapy for skin picking disorder safe for humans?

Behavior therapy for skin picking disorder, including Acceptance-Enhanced Behavior Therapy, has been found to be socially acceptable by participants and has shown improvements in anxiety and depression without reported safety concerns in the studies reviewed. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

How is Acceptance-Enhanced Behavior Therapy different from other treatments for skin picking disorder?

Acceptance-Enhanced Behavior Therapy (AEBT) is unique because it combines habit-reversal training (HRT) with acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), focusing on changing the way individuals relate to their urges rather than just trying to stop the behavior. This approach has shown significant reductions in skin picking behavior, making it a promising option compared to other treatments that may not address the underlying acceptance of urges. ^{1 2 3 6 8}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to test an online intervention for adults with excoriation disorder (skin picking). The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Is the online intervention effective, compared to a waitlist control condition? 2. Is the online intervention acceptable to use? Participants will be randomized into either the online intervention or waitlist control condition: 1. Participants in the intervention condition will be asked to complete an 8 module acceptance-enhanced behavioral training (AEBT) program for skin picking and 4 surveys over 3 months. 2. Participants in the waitlist condition will be asked to complete 4 surveys over 3 months, and will receive access to the intervention once the study is complete.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 in the U.S. who currently have skin picking disorder as defined by DSM-5 and are fluent in English. It's not specified who can't join, but typically those with other serious health issues or conditions that could interfere with the study might be excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

You fulfill the requirements for DSM-5 excoriation disorder.

You are proficient in the English language.

You reside in the United States.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants complete an 8-module AEBT program for skin picking and 4 surveys over 3 months

12 weeks

Online self-report assessments at baseline, mid-, and post-intervention

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

1 month follow-up assessment

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Acceptance-Enhanced Behavior Therapy

Trial Overview The trial is testing an online Acceptance-Enhanced Behavior Therapy (AEBT) program against a waitlist control group to see if it helps people with skin picking disorder. Participants will either do an 8-module AEBT course and surveys or just surveys and get the course later.

Participant Groups

Group I: AEBT online program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will complete the 8-module intervention of Acceptance-enhanced behavior therapy (AEBT). Acceptance-enhanced behavior therapy is a manualized treatment approach created by Woods and Twohig 2008 that provides both Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Habit Reversal Therapy.

Group II: Waitlist control Active Control 1 Intervention

Waitlist condition; only assessment

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Utah State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

48

Recruited

5,200+

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A preliminary investigation of acceptance and commitment therapy as a treatment for chronic skin picking. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acceptance-enhanced behavior therapy (AEBT) for trichotillomania and chronic skin picking: exploring the effects of component sequencing. [2018]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acceptance-enhanced behavior therapy for trichotillomania in adults: A randomized clinical trial. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

StopPicking.com: Internet-based treatment for self-injurious skin picking. [2022]

5. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Skin picking behaviors: An examination of the prevalence and severity in a community sample. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Systematic Review of Pharmacological and Behavioral Treatments for Skin Picking Disorder. [2022]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fluoxetine in pathologic skin-picking: open-label and double-blind results. [2022]

8. Hungary pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluating the role of Approach-Avoidance Training on action-tendencies in individuals with skin-picking disorder: A preliminary randomized experiment. [2022]