The impact of mindfulness-based haircuts on individuals affected by trichotillomania and related hair-focused repetitive behavior disorders and their hair-pulling behavior: A pilot study

IF 1.5 4区医学 Q3 PSYCHIATRY

Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders Pub Date : 2026-01-01 Epub Date: 2025-11-25 DOI:10.1016/j.jocrd.2025.100991

Linda Hollatz, Alexander L. Gerlach

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Individuals with Trichotillomania (TTM) or related hair-focused repetitive behaviors engage in recurrent hair pulling that negatively impacts their quality of life. At the same time, hair care remains a central part of their hygiene and beauty routines. This study examined the effects of a mindfulness-based haircut appointment, delivered by trained hair professionals, on pathological hair-pulling behavior. In an open-label intervention study, 43 adult females with TTM completed measures of hair-pulling behavior and maintained hair-pulling diaries for 14 days before and after the appointment. Results showed significant reductions in hair-pulling urges and time spent pulling hair post-appointment, with sustained improvements at 14, 30, and 60 days, as documented in diaries and the Massachusetts General Hospital Hairpulling Scale.

Furthermore, participants were satisfied with the appointment, attributing this to the empathy and non-judgmental communication exhibited by the hair professionals. These findings suggest that haircut appointments administered with compassion and understanding may significantly reduce hair-pulling behaviors and improve overall well-being. The results underscore the importance of training hair professionals to provide informed, supportive services to individuals affected by TTM.

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正念理发对拔毛癖和相关毛发重复性行为障碍患者及其拔毛行为的影响：一项初步研究

患有拔毛癖（TTM）或相关毛发重复性行为的人会反复拔毛，这会对他们的生活质量产生负面影响。与此同时，头发护理仍然是他们卫生和美容程序的核心部分。这项研究考察了由训练有素的专业理发人员进行的以正念为基础的理发预约对病理性拔头发行为的影响。在一项开放标签干预研究中，43名患有TTM的成年女性完成了拔毛行为的测量，并在预约前后14天内保持拔毛日记。结果显示，在预约后拔头发的冲动和拔头发的时间显著减少，在14、30和60天持续改善，记录在日记和马萨诸塞州总医院拔头发量表中。此外，参与者对这次约会感到满意，这归因于美发专家表现出的同理心和非评判性的沟通。这些发现表明，以同情和理解的态度进行理发预约可能会显著减少拔头发行为，提高整体幸福感。研究结果强调了培训头发专业人员为受TTM影响的个人提供知情、支持性服务的重要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders PSYCHIATRY-

CiteScore

4.00

自引率

5.60%

发文量

审稿时长

47 days

期刊介绍： Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders (JOCRD) is an international journal that publishes high quality research and clinically-oriented articles dealing with all aspects of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related conditions (OC spectrum disorders; e.g., trichotillomania, hoarding, body dysmorphic disorder). The journal invites studies of clinical and non-clinical (i.e., student) samples of all age groups from the fields of psychiatry, psychology, neuroscience, and other medical and health sciences. The journal''s broad focus encompasses classification, assessment, psychological and psychiatric treatment, prevention, psychopathology, neurobiology and genetics. Clinical reports (descriptions of innovative treatment methods) and book reviews on all aspects of OCD-related disorders will be considered, as will theoretical and review articles that make valuable contributions. Suitable topics for manuscripts include: -The boundaries of OCD and relationships with OC spectrum disorders -Validation of assessments of obsessive-compulsive and related phenomena -OCD symptoms in diverse social and cultural contexts -Studies of neurobiological and genetic factors in OCD and related conditions -Experimental and descriptive psychopathology and epidemiological studies -Studies on relationships among cognitive and behavioral variables in OCD and related disorders -Interpersonal aspects of OCD and related disorders -Evaluation of psychological and psychiatric treatment and prevention programs, and predictors of outcome.