Brief Description
The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Hair Pulling Scale is a clinical tool used to assess the severity and impact of trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder). This tool was developed by adapting relevant items from the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale by substituting ‘hairpulling’ for ‘compulsion.’ This 7-item self-report scale measures the frequency, intensity, and control over hair-pulling behaviors, as well as the associated distress and impairment in daily functioning using a 5-point Likert scale. The MGH-Hair Pulling provides clinicians with a standardized method to evaluate the severity of the disorder and monitor treatment progress.
Assessment Administration Type
Self-report
Number of questions
7
Age Range for Administration
18+
Recommended Frequency of Administration
Weekly
Summary of Scoring and Interpretations
Respondents rate each item on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 to 4. The items assess different aspects of hair-pulling behavior, such as frequency, intensity, urge to pull, and associated distress.The total score is calculated by summing the scores of all items. The possible total score ranges from 0 to 28. Higher scores indicate greater severity and distress caused by hair pulling behaviors.
Score changes with clinical significance:
Clinically significant treatment response: 45% reduction in score or 7-point raw score change.
Best predictor for disorder remission: 55-60% reduction in score or 7-point raw score change
Blueprint Adjustments
N/A
Clinical Considerations
Estimated time for completion: 2-3 minutes.
The MGH-Hair Pulling is meant to enhance clinical decision-making. The total score can be used to assess the severity of Trichotillomania, monitor changes over time, and guide treatment decisions. It should not serve as the sole basis for making a diagnosis.
Citation
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