A preliminary investigation of acceptance and commitment therapy and habit reversal as a treatment for trichotillomania

In this study, the combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Habit Reversal (ACT/HR) was evaluated as a treatment for trichotillomania with 6 adults. The effectiveness of ACT/HR was assessed within two separate multiple baseline designs. Self-monitoring data showed that treatment was successful in decreasing the numbers of hairs pulled to near-0 levels for 4 of the 6 participants, with results being maintained for 3 of the 4 participants at the 3-month follow-up. These findings were confirmed with ancillary measures. The treatment was found to be acceptable by all participants.