Using technology to help treat hair-pulling disorder
Official title: Technology Assisted Treatment for Trichotillomania
Funded at Habitaware, INC. · NIH-10766710 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new wearable device and app that helps people with trichotillomania by making them more aware of their hair-pulling habits and providing helpful tools to reduce those urges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Habitaware, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 21, 2018 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,237,649 |
| NIH project number | 5R44MH114773-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10766710 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with trichotillomania who are seeking effective treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have trichotillomania or those who are not interested in using technology-based interventions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a wearable device and app system designed to assist individuals with trichotillomania, a condition characterized by compulsive hair pulling. The project aims to enhance awareness of hair-pulling behaviors and deliver evidence-based treatments directly through the device. By utilizing a combination of behavioral interventions and real-time feedback, the system seeks to reduce the severity of symptoms in patients. A randomized controlled trial will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this innovative approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, accessible treatment option for individuals struggling with trichotillomania.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with technology-assisted interventions for behavioral disorders, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Habitaware, INC.
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kumar, Sameer — Habitaware, INC.
- Study coordinator: Kumar, Sameer
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Integrated wearables to help people with skin-picking disorder manage urges
A new wearable system combines a wrist sensor and a patch to help adults notice and interrupt skin-picking in real time so they can use proven strategies like Habit Reversal Training.
-
TrichTok: a teen-and-young-adult friendly video-based self-help for hair-pulling disorder
A new, teen- and young-adult–focused digital program using short videos and peer support to help people manage trichotillomania.
-
Using smartwatches to help treat binge eating behavior
This study is testing a smartwatch app that helps people with binge eating disorder by tracking their eating habits and offering helpful tips to get back on track after a binge, making it easier to stick to healthier eating.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.