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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests an online treatment for individuals with excoriation disorder, also known as skin picking disorder. Researchers aim to determine if the online program, which includes Acceptance-Enhanced Behavior Therapy (a type of behavioral training to manage the urge to pick skin), is effective and user-friendly. Participants will either take the online course or join a waitlist group. The trial seeks adults in the U.S. who frequently pick their skin and are not currently receiving similar therapy. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to access innovative treatment methods and contribute to advancing mental health care.

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 prior data suggests that this online intervention is safe for adults with skin picking disorder?

Research has shown that Acceptance-Enhanced Behavior Therapy (AEBT) is generally safe and well-tolerated. Studies have explored various delivery methods, including online options, for treating skin picking and similar conditions. These studies have demonstrated positive results, indicating that AEBT can manage symptoms without causing serious side effects.

Early findings suggest that participants using AEBT have experienced symptom improvements. This indicates the treatment is not only potentially effective but also safe. AEBT combines techniques like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Habit Reversal Therapy (HRT), focusing on changing behaviors and thoughts in a manageable way.

Overall, AEBT appears to be a safe choice for those considering joining a clinical trial for skin picking disorder. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike the standard treatments for skin picking disorder, which usually involve cognitive-behavioral therapy or medication, Acceptance-Enhanced Behavior Therapy (AEBT) combines Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Habit Reversal Therapy. This dual approach focuses not only on changing the skin-picking behavior but also on accepting and committing to change, which can lead to more sustainable results. Additionally, AEBT is delivered through an online program, making it accessible and convenient for participants, which is not always the case with traditional therapy sessions. Researchers are excited because this method could offer a more efficient and adaptable way to manage skin picking disorder, potentially reaching a broader audience.

What evidence suggests that this online intervention is effective for skin picking disorder?

Research has shown that Acceptance-Enhanced Behavior Therapy (AEBT), which participants in this trial may receive through an online program, could help treat skin picking disorder. One study found that people who used AEBT online showed significant improvement in their symptoms, as measured by a specific scale for skin picking. Another study reported a 49.5% decrease in the frequency and severity of skin picking among participants. Additionally, 17 studies support the effectiveness of AEBT for skin picking and similar issues, whether delivered online or in person. These findings suggest that AEBT could be an effective option for reducing skin picking behavior. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Citations

1. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0005789424000558

Therapist-Guided Internet-Delivered Acceptance ... The primary outcome was the Skin Picking Scale—Revised (SPS-R). Mixed-model regression analyses demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in SPD symptoms ...

2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40738530/

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Enhanced Behavior ... To date there are 17 studies investigating A-EBT for trichotillomania and skin picking across ages and treatment delivery methods (individual, group, telehealth ...

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05989737

A RCT of an AEBT Website for Adults With Skin Picking Acceptance-enhanced behavioral training (AEBT), has shown promising results for targeting skin picking symptoms.

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/5516930_Acceptance-Enhanced_Behavior_Therapy_AEBT_for_Trichotillomania_and_Chronic_Skin_Picking

(PDF) Acceptance-Enhanced Behavior Therapy (AEBT) for ... Overall, participants reported significant reductions in pulling and picking frequency and severity (49.5% reduction in skin picking, 65.3% ...

5. psych.theclinics.com psych.theclinics.com/article/S0193-953X(25)00029-2/abstract

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Enhanced Behavior ... Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Enhanced Behavior Therapy as An Intervention for Trichotillomania and Excoriation Disorder (Skin Picking)

6. jaadreviews.org jaadreviews.org/article/S2950-1989(25)00018-2/fulltext

Skin-picking disorder: Risk factors, comorbidities, and ... Acceptance-enhanced behavior therapy (AEBT) for trichotillomania and chronic skin picking: exploring the effects of component sequencing.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9483632/

Internet-delivered acceptance-based behavior therapy for ... The results provide initial evidence suggesting that I-BT could be a feasible, acceptable and potentially effective treatment for TTM and SPD for patients in a ...