Study of Patients With Body Image Issues Treated With 2 Different Behavioral Interventions

Status unconfirmed · Phase 2

Conditions studied: Body Dysmorphic Disorders

In brief

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a disabling condition that until recently has been largely ignored. Sufferers of BDD worry excessively and unreasonably about some flaw in their appearance that may be minimal or even nonexistent. These internalized body image distortions prompt sufferers to constantly check the perceived defects in mirrors, seek reassurance of their images from others, obtain unnecessary cosmetic and/or dermatological procedures, and even conduct self-surgeries. These obsessive concerns and compulsive behaviors cause significant emotional distress and often significantly interfere with global functioning. Currently, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in conjunction with psychopharmacology is the preferred treatment for BDD. In addition, two relatively new exposure techniques ("mirror retraining method" and "crooked mirror externalization therapy") that utilize mirrors to exaggerate the patient's imagined defect appear to increase the benefits of CBT. However, the treatment efficacies of these relatively novel methods have not been rigorously tested or methodologically compared. Although six out of seven patients treated with crooked mirror externalization therapy at the Westwood Institute for Anxiety Disorders, Inc. demonstrated significant gains, the small sample size does not allow for any significant generalizations. Thus, the goals of this project are: 1) to determine the efficacy of exposure therapy that utilizes mirrors in the treatment of BDD, and 2) to evaluate the level of effectiveness of the mirror retraining method versus the crooked mirror externalization therapy. To accomplish these goals, each subject taking part in the study will do the following. They will go through an in-depth interview with the study physician, Dr. Kagan, and complete several clinical assessment questionnaires to confirm that they have BDD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). They will be assessed by the study independent evaluator and complete several paper-and-pencil tests to determine the severity of the BDD and if they have any cognitive difficulties. The subject will participate in 3 weeks of CBT with either the mirror retraining method or the crooked mirror externalization therapy. After the CBT, we will repeat the clinical assessment questionnaires and neurocognitive testing. From the difference between the before and after scores on all these tests, we will determine if there has been any change in the subject's BDD symptoms, and if so, the level of effectiveness between the mirror retraining method and the crooked mirror externalization therapy.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT01316627

Run by

Westwood Institute for Anxiety Disorders, Inc

People needed

20

Starts

2007-04-01

Last updated by the study team

2011-03-16

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age 18-60
• Meets DSM-IV criteria for BDD
• Baseline 12-item BDD-YBOCS score >15
• Baseline 33-item BDDE score > 99
• Baseline 3-item BDDDM score > 9
• IQ > 90
• English-speaking
• No changes in psychotropic medication during or 12 weeks prior to study

You may not qualify if…

• No medical contraindications
• No co-morbid psychiatric contraindications (psychosis, bipolar disorder, Tourette's or other tic disorder, panic disorder, PTSD, ADHD, anorexia nervosa, bulimia)
• Current suicidality
• Primary diagnosis of OCD, depression, or substance abuse

Where it is running

• Westwood Institute for Anxiety Disorders, Inc. — Los Angeles, California, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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