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Behavior therapy for nail biting in children

Evaluation of habit reversal treatment for nail biting in children

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
IRCT
Registry ID
IRCT138902303930N2
Enrollment
90
Registered
2010-12-20
Start date
2010-11-25
Completion date
Unknown
Last updated
2018-02-22

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Nail biting behavior. Behavioural and emotional disorders with onset usually occurring in childhood and adolescence

Interventions

Intervention 1: Similar competing responses: The patients are educated and trained to do a similar competing response such as pressing an ear lobule or clenching hand with the occurrence of preceding
Behavior
Similar competing responses: The patients are educated and trained to do a similar competing response such as pressing an ear lobule or clenching hand with the occurrence of preceding sensation or na
Object manipulation: The patients are educated and trained to manipulate objects such as a small ball or pencil with the occurrence of preceding sensation or nail biting. Another person in the clien
Waiting list: This group of patients functions as a control group and do not receive any intervention.

Sponsors

Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
Lead Sponsor

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
All
Age
4 Years to 18 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Inclusion criteria: The age range of patients is from 4 to 18 years. The duration of nail biting behavior is at least 4 months. Exclusion criteria: Individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar mood disorder are excluded. Providing informed written consent is required.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria:

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Freqyency of nail biting. Timepoint: before and 4 weeks after intervention. Method of measurement: questionnaire.

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Lenght of nail. Timepoint: before and 4 weeks after intervention. Method of measurement: Millimeters.

Countries

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: IRCT (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026