Trial Outcomes & Findings for N-Acetylcysteine for Pediatric Trichotillomania (NCT NCT00993265)

NCT ID: NCT00993265

Last Updated: 2014-07-25

Results Overview

The Massachusetts General Hospital - Hairpulling Scale (MGH-HPS) is a 7-question scale that measures the severity of hair pulling. The scale ranges from 0-28. The higher the score, the more severe the hairpulling.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE2

Target enrollment

39 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Week 12

Results posted on

2014-07-25

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
Patients randomized to this arm will receive N-Acetylcysteine, at a standard dose titrated to 2400 mg. They will receive NAC in addition to the medication regimen they are on at enrollment. N-Acetylcysteine: 2400 mg by mouth PO (1200 mg AM, 1200 mg PM), 12 weeks
Placebo
Patients randomized to this arm will receive placebo, formulated to be indistinguishable from N-Acetylcysteine, in addition to the medication regimen they are on at study enrollment. Placebo: placebo, 2 capsules by mouth in AM, 2 capsules by mouth PM, 12 weeks
Overall Study
STARTED
20
19
Overall Study
COMPLETED
16
19
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
4
0

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
Patients randomized to this arm will receive N-Acetylcysteine, at a standard dose titrated to 2400 mg. They will receive NAC in addition to the medication regimen they are on at enrollment. N-Acetylcysteine: 2400 mg by mouth PO (1200 mg AM, 1200 mg PM), 12 weeks
Placebo
Patients randomized to this arm will receive placebo, formulated to be indistinguishable from N-Acetylcysteine, in addition to the medication regimen they are on at study enrollment. Placebo: placebo, 2 capsules by mouth in AM, 2 capsules by mouth PM, 12 weeks
Overall Study
Adverse Event
1
0
Overall Study
Changed dose of concomitant drug
2
0
Overall Study
Non-compliant with study medication
1
0

Baseline Characteristics

N-Acetylcysteine for Pediatric Trichotillomania

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
n=20 Participants
Patients randomized to this arm will receive N-Acetylcysteine, at a standard dose titrated to 2400 mg. They will receive NAC in addition to the medication regimen they are on at enrollment. N-Acetylcysteine: 2400 mg by mouth PO (1200 mg AM, 1200 mg PM), 12 weeks
Placebo
n=19 Participants
Patients randomized to this arm will receive placebo, formulated to be indistinguishable from N-Acetylcysteine, in addition to the medication regimen they are on at study enrollment. Placebo: placebo, 2 capsules by mouth in AM, 2 capsules by mouth PM, 12 weeks
Total
n=39 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
20 Participants
n=93 Participants
19 Participants
n=4 Participants
39 Participants
n=27 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
0 Participants
n=93 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
0 Participants
n=27 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants
n=93 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
0 Participants
n=27 Participants
Age, Continuous
14 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.4 • n=93 Participants
13.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.1 • n=4 Participants
13.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.8 • n=27 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
17 Participants
n=93 Participants
17 Participants
n=4 Participants
34 Participants
n=27 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
3 Participants
n=93 Participants
2 Participants
n=4 Participants
5 Participants
n=27 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
20 participants
n=93 Participants
19 participants
n=4 Participants
39 participants
n=27 Participants
Massachusetts General Hospital - Hairpulling Scale (MGH-HPS)
13.2 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.3 • n=93 Participants
16.6 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.8 • n=4 Participants
14.9 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.3 • n=27 Participants
The Trichotillomania Scale for Children (TSC)-Child Report
2.35 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION .74 • n=93 Participants
2.52 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION .85 • n=4 Participants
2.44 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION .85 • n=27 Participants
The Trichotillomania Scale for Children (TSC)-Parent Report
2.20 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.71 • n=93 Participants
2.32 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.71 • n=4 Participants
2.26 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.71 • n=27 Participants
The Milwaukee Inventory for Styles of Trichotillomania (MIST) - Child Version
Baseline MIST-C Focused Pulling Subscale
94 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 35.2 • n=93 Participants
90.8 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 30.5 • n=4 Participants
92.4 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 35.2 • n=27 Participants
The Milwaukee Inventory for Styles of Trichotillomania (MIST) - Child Version
Baseline MIST-C Automatic Pulling Subscale
12.10 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.3 • n=93 Participants
16.26 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.8 • n=4 Participants
14.18 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.8 • n=27 Participants
Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC)
48.7 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 19.0 • n=93 Participants
52.9 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 18.6 • n=4 Participants
50.8 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 19.0 • n=27 Participants
The Children's Depression Inventory (CDI)
12.4 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.8 • n=93 Participants
10.8 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.5 • n=4 Participants
11.6 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.5 • n=27 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 12

The Massachusetts General Hospital - Hairpulling Scale (MGH-HPS) is a 7-question scale that measures the severity of hair pulling. The scale ranges from 0-28. The higher the score, the more severe the hairpulling.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
n=20 Participants
Patients randomized to this arm will receive N-Acetylcysteine, at a standard dose titrated to 2400 mg. They will receive NAC in addition to the medication regimen they are on at enrollment. N-Acetylcysteine: 2400 mg by mouth PO (1200 mg AM, 1200 mg PM), 12 weeks
Placebo
n=19 Participants
Patients randomized to this arm will receive placebo, formulated to be indistinguishable from N-Acetylcysteine, in addition to the medication regimen they are on at study enrollment. Placebo: placebo, 2 capsules by mouth in AM, 2 capsules by mouth PM, 12 weeks
Massachusetts General Hospital Hair Pulling Scale (MGH-HPS)
10.70 units on a scale
Standard Error 1.49
13.53 units on a scale
Standard Error 1.47

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 12

The Trichotillomania Scale for Children (TSC) - Child Version assesses hair pulling severity, distress, and impairment in children. The scale is split into two sections (severity and distress/impairment), with 12 questions (5 severity and 7 distress/impairment). The severity score is summed from questions 1-5 and divided by 5. The distress/impairment score is summed from questions 6-12 and divided by 7. The total score is calculated by summing the severity score and the distress/impairment score. Scores range from 0-4. Higher total scores indicate greater severity/distress/impairment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
n=20 Participants
Patients randomized to this arm will receive N-Acetylcysteine, at a standard dose titrated to 2400 mg. They will receive NAC in addition to the medication regimen they are on at enrollment. N-Acetylcysteine: 2400 mg by mouth PO (1200 mg AM, 1200 mg PM), 12 weeks
Placebo
n=19 Participants
Patients randomized to this arm will receive placebo, formulated to be indistinguishable from N-Acetylcysteine, in addition to the medication regimen they are on at study enrollment. Placebo: placebo, 2 capsules by mouth in AM, 2 capsules by mouth PM, 12 weeks
Trichotillomania Scale for Children - Child Version
2.00 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.22
2.08 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.22

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 12

The Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) assesses major dimensions of anxiety in children. The MASC contains 39 items rated on a scale of 0-3. Scores range from 0-117. The higher the score, the greater the anxiety.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
n=20 Participants
Patients randomized to this arm will receive N-Acetylcysteine, at a standard dose titrated to 2400 mg. They will receive NAC in addition to the medication regimen they are on at enrollment. N-Acetylcysteine: 2400 mg by mouth PO (1200 mg AM, 1200 mg PM), 12 weeks
Placebo
n=19 Participants
Patients randomized to this arm will receive placebo, formulated to be indistinguishable from N-Acetylcysteine, in addition to the medication regimen they are on at study enrollment. Placebo: placebo, 2 capsules by mouth in AM, 2 capsules by mouth PM, 12 weeks
Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC)
48.4 units on a scale
Standard Error 4.3
49.8 units on a scale
Standard Error 4.3

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 12

The Massachusetts General Hospital - Hairpulling Scale (MGH-HPS) is a 7-question scale that measures the severity of hair pulling. The scale ranges from 0-28. The higher the score, the more severe the hairpulling.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
n=20 Participants
Patients randomized to this arm will receive N-Acetylcysteine, at a standard dose titrated to 2400 mg. They will receive NAC in addition to the medication regimen they are on at enrollment. N-Acetylcysteine: 2400 mg by mouth PO (1200 mg AM, 1200 mg PM), 12 weeks
Placebo
n=19 Participants
Patients randomized to this arm will receive placebo, formulated to be indistinguishable from N-Acetylcysteine, in addition to the medication regimen they are on at study enrollment. Placebo: placebo, 2 capsules by mouth in AM, 2 capsules by mouth PM, 12 weeks
Children's Depression Inventory
10.9 units on a scale
Standard Error 1.9
7.8 units on a scale
Standard Error 1.9

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 12

The Trichotillomania Scale for Children (TSC) - Parent Version assesses hair pulling severity, distress, and impairment in children. The scale is split into two sections (severity and distress/impairment), with 12 questions (5 severity and 7 distress/impairment). The severity score is summed from questions 1-5 and divided by 5. The distress/impairment score is summed from questions 6-12 and divided by 7. The total score is calculated by summing the severity score and the distress/impairment score. Scores range from 0-4. Higher total scores indicate greater severity/distress/impairment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
n=20 Participants
Patients randomized to this arm will receive N-Acetylcysteine, at a standard dose titrated to 2400 mg. They will receive NAC in addition to the medication regimen they are on at enrollment. N-Acetylcysteine: 2400 mg by mouth PO (1200 mg AM, 1200 mg PM), 12 weeks
Placebo
n=19 Participants
Patients randomized to this arm will receive placebo, formulated to be indistinguishable from N-Acetylcysteine, in addition to the medication regimen they are on at study enrollment. Placebo: placebo, 2 capsules by mouth in AM, 2 capsules by mouth PM, 12 weeks
Trichotillomania Scale for Children - Parent Version
1.83 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.18
1.88 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.18

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 12

The Milwaukee Inventory for Styles of Trichotillomania (MIST) - Child Version assesses "focused" pulling, hair pulling that occurs intentionally to relieve tension or distress, and "automatic" pulling, hair pulling that occurs outside of the child's attention. This scale contains 25 questions, 21 questions in the "focused" pulling subscale and 4 questions in the "automatic" pulling subscale. The scores range from 0-36 on the "automatic" pulling subscale and 0-189 on the "focused" pulling subscale. Higher scores on the subscales indicate more of the hair pulling is of that style.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
n=20 Participants
Patients randomized to this arm will receive N-Acetylcysteine, at a standard dose titrated to 2400 mg. They will receive NAC in addition to the medication regimen they are on at enrollment. N-Acetylcysteine: 2400 mg by mouth PO (1200 mg AM, 1200 mg PM), 12 weeks
Placebo
n=19 Participants
Patients randomized to this arm will receive placebo, formulated to be indistinguishable from N-Acetylcysteine, in addition to the medication regimen they are on at study enrollment. Placebo: placebo, 2 capsules by mouth in AM, 2 capsules by mouth PM, 12 weeks
The Milwaukee Inventory for Styles of Trichotillomania-Child Version
Week 12 MIST-C "Automatic" Subscale
13.24 units on a scale
Standard Error 1.98
13.16 units on a scale
Standard Error 1.96
The Milwaukee Inventory for Styles of Trichotillomania-Child Version
Week 12 MIST-C "Focused" Subscale
90.8 units on a scale
Standard Error 8.1
79.6 units on a scale
Standard Error 8.1

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 12

The National Institute of Mental Health - Trichotillomania Severity Scale (NIMH-TSS) assesses severity of hair pulling. The NIMH-TSS is a 6 item assessment, with total scores ranging from 0-20. Higher scores indicate greater severity/impairment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
n=20 Participants
Patients randomized to this arm will receive N-Acetylcysteine, at a standard dose titrated to 2400 mg. They will receive NAC in addition to the medication regimen they are on at enrollment. N-Acetylcysteine: 2400 mg by mouth PO (1200 mg AM, 1200 mg PM), 12 weeks
Placebo
n=19 Participants
Patients randomized to this arm will receive placebo, formulated to be indistinguishable from N-Acetylcysteine, in addition to the medication regimen they are on at study enrollment. Placebo: placebo, 2 capsules by mouth in AM, 2 capsules by mouth PM, 12 weeks
National Institute of Mental Health -Trichotillomania Severity Scale (NIMH-TSS)
9.56 units on a scale
Standard Error 0.71
10.89 units on a scale
Standard Error 1.24

Adverse Events

N-acetylcysteine (NAC)

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 6 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Placebo

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 12 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
n=20 participants at risk
Patients randomized to this arm will receive N-Acetylcysteine, at a standard dose titrated to 2400 mg. They will receive NAC in addition to the medication regimen they are on at enrollment. N-Acetylcysteine: 2400 mg by mouth PO (1200 mg AM, 1200 mg PM), 12 weeks
Placebo
n=19 participants at risk
Patients randomized to this arm will receive placebo, formulated to be indistinguishable from N-Acetylcysteine, in addition to the medication regimen they are on at study enrollment. Placebo: placebo, 2 capsules by mouth in AM, 2 capsules by mouth PM, 12 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea
30.0%
6/20
63.2%
12/19
Gastrointestinal disorders
Diarrhea
5.0%
1/20
5.3%
1/19
General disorders
Fatigue
0.00%
0/20
10.5%
2/19
General disorders
Insomnia
0.00%
0/20
5.3%
1/19
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Rash
5.0%
1/20
0.00%
0/19
Psychiatric disorders
Depression
5.0%
1/20
0.00%
0/19
General disorders
Difficulty Swallowing Pills
10.0%
2/20
5.3%
1/19

Additional Information

Dr. Michael Bloch, MD, MS

Yale University, Child Study Center

Phone: 203-737-4809

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place