Alopecia
Conditions
Keywords
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Universalis, Alopecia Totalis, Psychology, Health Psychology
Brief summary
This Randomised Control Trial (RCT) aims to test a novel Alopecia-tailored, protocolled, integrative individual psychological intervention offered to patients with enduring Alopecia. The pilot study aims to assess the impact of the intervention on 8 patients, by assessing changes in their psychological and physical symptoms (stress, anxiety, depression, quality of life, scalp hair, and other bio-markers) compared to 7 patients in the wait-list control group.
Detailed description
Alopecia is a stress-related auto-immune skin condition that results in hair-loss on the scalp and around the body. This pilot RCT aims to test a newly developed Alopecia-specific, psychological intervention with 8 patients diagnosed with enduring Alopecia. The intervention is an Integrative Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, implemented through a protocolled programme entailing 12 weeks of hourly individual sessions. The trial will be delivered at The Dermatology Department at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, London. The pilot study aims to evaluate the impact of the intervention on patients' psychological and physical symptoms (stress, anxiety, depression, quality of life, scalp hair, and other bio-markers) compared to the wait-list control group.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALIntegrative Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
This intervention involves the psychological intervention of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. This intervention also includes third wave psychological interventions of Mindfulness and Narrative Therapy which has been found to be helpful for people with chronic health conditions and chronic skin conditions.
Sponsors
Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
City, University of London
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Masking description
The participants are not aware of their allocation to the intervention group or control group. All
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Diagnosis of Alopecia received by medical profession over 1 year prior to beginning trial * Fluent in Written and Verbal English
Exclusion criteria
* Another more dominant skin condition * Another more dominant severe and enduring mental illness * Women who are pregnant * Learning difficulties, brain injuries or dementia * Drug and alcohol dependency * Received therapy in the last year
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital Anxiety And Depression Scale (HADS) | 12 weeks | Psychological Measure: Self-reported questionnaire assessing anxiety and depressive symptoms |
| Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) | 12 weeks | Psychological Measure: Self-reported questionnaire measuring perceived stress |
| Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) | 12 weeks | Psychological Measure: Self-reported questionnaire measuring impact of Alopecia on participants quality of life |
| Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) Scalp Assessment | 12 weeks | Physical Measure: Percentage of total hair loss |
| Blood Test | 12 weeks | Physical Measure: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Serum (Munit/ L) and Ferritin Serum (Micrograms) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Measures | 12 weeks | Medical Photography |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed