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14-11-2023 | Original Article

Self-Report Measures of Sensory Phenomena in Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors: A Comparison to Healthy Controls

Authors: Sydney Biscarri Clark, Suzanne Mouton-Odum, Christopher A. Flessner, Emily J. Ricketts, Tara S. Peris, Darin D. Dougherty, Douglas W. Woods, Dan J. Stein, Christine Lochner, Jon E. Grant, Nancy J. Keuthen, John Piacentini

Published in: Cognitive Therapy and Research | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

Early studies identified sensory phenomena as an important facet of hair pulling and skin picking. Research in this area has grown in recent years; however, extant research on sensory abnormalities in BFRBs demonstrates limitations. The current study seeks to address gaps in the literature by examining differences in the experiences of sensory phenomena among patients with BFRBs as compared to healthy controls.

Methods

Participants were 106 individuals, including 72 with BFRBs (32 hair pulling disorder [HPD], 31 skin picking disorder [SPD], 9 HPD with SPD) and 34 healthy controls, aged 11–65 years. All participants were assessed for psychiatric diagnosis via clinician-rated interviews and rated global hair pulling and skin picking severity. Participants also rated sensory phenomena using the Sensory Gating Inventory and Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile.

Results

Results revealed that participants with BFRBs exhibited significantly (or trends towards significantly) higher scores across most sensory domains (i.e., Over-inclusion, Distractibility, Stress-Fatigue Vulnerability, Low Registration, Sensation Avoidance, and Sensation Sensitivity) than healthy controls. There were no significant differences between discrete BFRB groups across any sensory experience. There were positive, moderate associations between a clinician-rated measure of skin picking-related global severity and most sensory experiences.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that sensory dysregulation does separate those with BFRBs from healthy controls. Implications for future research and treatment are discussed.

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Title: Self-Report Measures of Sensory Phenomena in Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors: A Comparison to Healthy Controls
Authors: Sydney Biscarri Clark
Suzanne Mouton-Odum
Christopher A. Flessner
Emily J. Ricketts
Tara S. Peris
Darin D. Dougherty
Douglas W. Woods
Dan J. Stein
Christine Lochner
Jon E. Grant
Nancy J. Keuthen
John Piacentini
Publication date: 14-11-2023
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Cognitive Therapy and Research / Issue 1/2024
Print ISSN: 0147-5916
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2819
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-023-10448-8

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Self-Report Measures of Sensory Phenomena in Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors: A Comparison to Healthy Controls

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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