Efficacy of AEBT in Reducing Anxiety and Experimental avoidance of Body Focused Repetitive Behavior Disorders with three month follow up

Abstract

: Introduction: Body-focused Behaviors (BFRBS) are repetitive, body-centered and non-functional habits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of AEBT therapy in reducing anxiety and experiencing avoidance of mixed trichotillomania، skin picking disorder and nail biting with a three-month follow-up. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted with a single-subject experimental design, multiple step-line and follow-up on six patients (two patients for each disorder) in 10 sessions over three months. Samples were selected purposefully. Data was collected through Massachusetts Hospital – Hair Pulling Scale، Skin Picking Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire and Malone- Massler Nail biting scale. Results: The results of this study showed that Acceptance Enhanced Behavioral Therapy can reduce anxiety in patients with trichotillomania, skin picking and nail biting, as well as experimental avoidance in patients with trichotillomania and skin picking decreased and the results were maintained during the follow-up period, but the reduction of experimental avoidance in nail biting was not significant and requires further studies on this subject. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that AEBT can effectively treat anxiety symptoms and experimental avoidance of patients with trichotillomania, skin picking and nail biting disorders.