Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Misophonia

Overseen By Michael P Twohig, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Utah State University

Must not be taking: Psychotropic medications

Disqualifiers: Alternative psychotherapy, Self-harm, Psychosis, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

Duration: 16 weeks

100 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores an online program designed to help people manage misophonia, a condition where certain sounds trigger emotional or physical reactions. The study aims to determine if this digital therapy, known as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, is effective and user-friendly. Participants will either undergo the therapy program or be placed on a waitlist. It suits English-speaking adults in the U.S. who face significant challenges due to misophonia and aren't currently receiving other treatments for the condition. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance future treatment options for misophonia.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot be starting or changing any psychotropic medications (medications that affect your mood, thoughts, or behavior) within 30 days of starting the study.

What prior data suggests that this online intervention is safe for adults with misophonia?

Research shows that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) could be a helpful treatment for misophonia. Studies have found that ACT can greatly reduce misophonia symptoms, with one study reporting a 70% reduction. This suggests ACT is both effective and manageable for individuals.

Most research on ACT has been conducted through individual case studies, so large-scale data remains limited. However, existing evidence suggests that ACT is safe for participants. This type of talk therapy helps individuals accept their thoughts and feelings and take actions to improve their lives.

In summary, while large-scale clinical data is limited, current research supports the safety of ACT for treating misophonia. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for misophonia because it offers a new approach compared to traditional therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy or sound therapy. Unlike these standard treatments that often focus on altering the reaction to specific sounds, ACT targets the acceptance of the distressing emotional responses rather than eliminating them. This online, fully automated program allows for greater accessibility and convenience, enabling participants to engage with the therapy at their own pace. By emphasizing psychological flexibility and mindfulness, ACT has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with misophonia.

What evidence suggests that this online intervention could be effective for misophonia?

Research has shown that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) might help people with misophonia, a condition where certain sounds trigger strong emotional reactions. Although ACT has primarily been explored through individual case studies, early results suggest it can increase openness to experiences and reduce distress. One study found that participants viewed ACT as credible and acceptable, with small to moderate improvements in misophonia symptoms. Another study demonstrated that online group therapies, including ACT, effectively reduced misophonia symptoms. In this trial, participants will engage in an ACT online program, an 8-module fully automated digital intervention. These early findings suggest ACT could be a useful way to manage misophonia. ^{5 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Emily M Bowers, M.S.

Principal Investigator

Utah State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with misophonia, a condition where certain sounds trigger emotional or physiological responses. Participants should be willing to complete surveys and an online therapy program over four months. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria details are not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

Currently live or reside in the United States

Currently meet clinical impairment for misophonia

Fluent English speakers

Exclusion Criteria

Any psychological and/or neurological impairments that would preclude someone from participating in the study (e.g., active self-harm or psychosis)

I am currently undergoing therapy for misophonia.

I have not started or changed any mental health medications in the last 30 days.

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 acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) program for misophonia over 4 months

16 weeks

Online modules and 5 surveys

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

8 weeks

Surveys at one- and two-month follow-up

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Trial Overview The study tests the effectiveness of an 8-module acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) program delivered online against a waitlist control group. The main focus is on whether this digital intervention can help manage misophonia symptoms.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: ACT online program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will complete the 8-module fully automated digital intervention based in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

Group II: Waitlist Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Waitlist condition; assessment only.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Utah State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

48

Recruited

5,200+

Misophonia Research Fund

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

120+

Citations

1. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1551714424002544

Acceptance and commitment therapy versus progressive ... Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a promising psychotherapy for treating misophonia, but has only been previously tested in case studies.

2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?linkname=pubmed_pubmed_citedin&from_uid=41076156

Acceptance and commitment therapy versus progressive ... Results: Both treatments were rated as credible and acceptable. Response rates for participant-rated misophonia (MQ scores) were small to modest ...

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07220941

Digital Intervention for Adults With Misophonia: A ... Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has shown promise in addressing misophonia symptoms by fostering psychological flexibility. While recent ...

4. brieflands.com brieflands.com/journals/ijpbs/articles/120159

Effectiveness of Online Group-mindfulness and ... The results of this study showed that the two online group therapies of CBT and MACT effectively reduced misophonia symptoms and improved the participants' ...

5. digitalcommons.usu.edu digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3070&context=psych_facpub

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for a Child With ... ACT FOR A CHILD WITH MISOPHONIA. 17. As the first study to use ACT for misophonia in a child, this case presents promising and unique outcomes.

6. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39182828/

Acceptance and commitment therapy versus progressive ... Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a promising psychotherapy for treating misophonia, but has only been previously tested in case studies.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10276561/

A systematic review of treatments for misophonia - PMC This report showed a 70% reduction in misophonia symptoms. Family accommodation behaviors also significantly decreased, suggesting some added benefit to a ...

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/am/pii/S2468171723000054

A systematic review of treatments for misophonia Data were available for one randomized controlled trial, one open label trial, and 31 case studies. Treatments included various forms of psychotherapy, ...

9. contextualscience.org contextualscience.org/act_randomized_controlled_trials_1986_to_present

ACT Randomized Controlled Trials (1986 to present) Acceptance and commitment therapy versus progressive relaxation training for misophonia: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders, 120366.