We have developed and investigated the effects of group therapy for internet-delivered behavior therapy (iBT) for skin-picking disorder (SPD) and trichotillomania (TTM). The group therapy was found feasible and preliminary effective in reducing symptoms of hair-pulling and skin-picking. The results of a clinical trial conducted in an academic setting demonstrated significantly greater improvement in skin- picking symptoms in participants receiving iBT compared to those in the waitlist group. However, while advantageous, the internet-delivered treatment presented challenges for participants. Tailoring the treatment to individual needs or blending iBT with face-to-face treatment could enhance efficacy and applicability.
Here is Mia Asplund’s Thesis for Doctoral Degree on the subject.
Background and relevance
TTM and SPD are two very similar psychiatric disorders characterized by recurrent and excessive hair pulling and skin picking. The problems leads to hair loss and skin lesions, it is time consuming and interferes with the patiens everyday life, impairing both social and occupational activities, as well as emotional well-being.
Behavior therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for TTM and SPD. Unfortunately, many patients do not receive this treatment, because of different reasons such as knowledge gap among clinicians, shame and stigma, general lack of knowledge about the disorders, geographic and economic factors. Because of this, we see the urgency in developing more available treatments that is feasible, acceptable and efficacious.
Group members involved in the project
Rücklab - Psychiatry research at Karolinska Institutet 