Investigating the Effectiveness of Combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Habit Reversal Training in Reduction of Trichotillomania Symptoms

Trichotillomania disorder is a repetitive pulling of hair to the point of noticeable loss. TTM has been tied to a number of negative effects and avoidance of important activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with Habit Reversal Training (HRT) on reduction of trichotillomania symptoms. Subjects and In this study single-case experiment with A-B design with follow up was used. Two patients were selected by purposeful sampling. In order to gather information and data, in addition to the diagnostic interview based on DSM-5, Milwaukee Inventory for subtypes of trichotillomania–Adult Version: MIST-A and The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Hair-pulling Scale were used. Seven-session ACT plus HRT protocol was delivered for each participant individually. Data drawn in three phases of baseline, intervention and follow-up, for participants separately. Data were interpreted by visual analysis and result showed that the combination of ACT and HRT was effective in reducing TTM symptoms in both patients, and the treatment out come was maintained in follow-up phase. The results showed a traditional behavioral approach (HRT) combined with an approach that addresses the cognitive and emotional components of the behaviour (ACT), significantly reduce TTM symptoms. Combined ACT with HRT is more treatment of TTM.