Psychotherapy for Intermittent Explosive Disorder

NCT ID: NCT00667212

Last Updated: 2024-08-19

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 44 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2006-08-31
• Study Completion Date: 2010-12-31

Brief Summary

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.

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 13 visits over approximately 4 months with a 3 follow-up session. 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).

Conditions

Anger; Intermittent Explosive Disorder

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: FACTORIAL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

2

Supportive Psychotherapy

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Supportive Psychotherapy

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Twelve weekly therapy sessions, approximately one hour each in duration

1

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Cognitive Restructuring, Relaxation, and Coping Skills Training: CRCST)

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Twelve weekly therapy sessions, approximately one hour each in duration

Interventions

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Twelve weekly therapy sessions, approximately one hour each in duration

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Supportive Psychotherapy

Twelve weekly therapy sessions, approximately one hour each in duration

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

Cognitive Restructuring, Relaxation, and Coping Skills Training

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Lifetime diagnosis of psychosis or bipolar disorder
• Current diagnosis of substance dependence or major depressive disorder.
• Current suicidal or homicidal ideation,
• Recent use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (past month) or other psychotropic medication (past two months)
• Recent psychotherapy for aggression (past six months.)

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 55 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

University of Chicago

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Michael McCloskey, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Chicago

Locations

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

15143A

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id