Psychotherapy for Intermittent Explosive Disorder

Individual Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy for Intermittent Explosive Disorder

The goal of this study is to examine the effectiveness two forms of psychotherapy (also known as "talk therapy" ) for individuals with anger and aggression problems. Anger and aggression are everywhere - on the road, in the schools, at little league games, at home, and at work. In this study we are testing usefulness of anger management techniques in reducing symptoms of Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED) and impulsive, aggressive behavior.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Anger; Intermittent Explosive Disorder
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Supportive Psychotherapy; Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Detailed Description

Qualified participants will be randomly assigned to 12 1-hour sessions of either cognitive-behavioral therapy or supportive psychotherapy.

Participation in this study will require 16 visits over approximately 4 months with 3 follow-up sessions over a 12 month period. Therapy is provided at no cost and each study participant will receive a comprehensive psychological assessment. Two types of talk therapy are being offered in this study. One form of therapy focuses on thought and behaviors associated with anger and aggression. This type of therapy is known as cognitive behavioral therapy. The other type of therapy focuses on the individuals' feeling about their anger /aggression and the situations that lead to this anger. This is known as supportive therapy. The form of therapy you are given will be randomly determined (like by flipping of a coin).

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 60
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Illinois
    • Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60637
      • University of Chicago

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 55 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Have problems with anger, temper outbursts, being irritable, getting in trouble at work or at home because of impulsive/aggressive behavior.
• Between the ages of 18 and 55.
• Meet other eligibility requirements as outlined by the research protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

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Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Factorial Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: 2; Supportive Psychotherapy	Behavioral: Supportive Psychotherapy; Twelve weekly therapy sessions, approximately one hour each in duration
Active Comparator: 1; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Cognitive Restructuring, Relaxation, and Coping Skills Training: CRCST)	Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Twelve weekly therapy sessions, approximately one hour each in duration; Other Names: Cognitive Restructuring, Relaxation, and Coping Skills Training

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Overt Aggression Scale - Modified (OASM)	Screen Visit, Pre-Therapy visit, Therapy sessions 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, Post-Therapy Visit, 3, 6, and 12-month Follow-Up Vists
State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory - Trait Anger Scale [STAXI-T]	Pre-Therapy visit, Therapy session 7, Post-Therapy visit
Intermittent Explosive Disorder Interview	Diagnostic Interview, Post-Therapy Visit (Modified), 3, 6, and 12-month Follow-Up vists (modified)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Behavioral aggression measures (Taylor Aggression Paradigm [TAP], Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm [PSAP])	Pre-Therapy Visit, Post-Therapy Visit, 3, 6, and 12-month Follow-Up visits

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Chicago
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Michael McCloskey, PhD, University of Chicago

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: August 1, 2006
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 1, 2010
• Study Completion (Actual): December 1, 2010

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 24, 2008
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 24, 2008
• First Posted (Estimate): April 28, 2008

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): June 13, 2013
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 11, 2013
• Last Verified: December 1, 2010

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: intermittent; anger; explosive
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders
• Other Study ID Numbers: 15143A