In-Home Sorting and Decluttering for Hoarding Disorder

(BITS Trial)

This trial aims to determine if adding in-home decluttering to the Buried in Treasures Workshop (BIT) benefits people with hoarding disorder. Participants engage in group therapy and practice organizing their homes over 18 weeks. The trial includes two groups: one begins immediately, and the other starts after a delay, while a third group serves as a comparison and does not receive treatment. It suits those whose primary condition is hoarding disorder and who can allow study staff into their homes for assessments. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance treatment for hoarding disorder.

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are a healthy control, you cannot have a history of using psychotropic medication.

Studies have shown that the Buried in Treasures Workshop (BIT) is a promising treatment for hoarding disorder. Research indicates that participants in BIT often experience significant improvements in their hoarding symptoms. Specifically, one study found a significant decrease in hoarding severity, with scores dropping by 27 to 35%.

Although the BIT program is effective, some participants find decluttering their homes challenging. However, adding sessions for in-home decluttering assistance has proven both manageable and beneficial.

Researchers are excited about the Buried in Treasures Workshop for hoarding disorder because it offers a structured, in-home approach that focuses on behavioral practice through group therapy. Unlike traditional treatments that might rely heavily on individual therapy or medication, this workshop aims to engage participants directly in their living environments, helping them develop practical skills for sorting and decluttering. This method not only addresses the psychological aspects but also provides hands-on experience, potentially leading to more sustainable changes in behavior.

Research has shown that the Buried in Treasures Workshop (BIT) helps reduce symptoms of hoarding disorder. In this trial, participants in the Immediate Treatment arm will receive the BIT program, which has demonstrated a noticeable decrease in hoarding severity compared to those in the Delayed Treatment arm, who will wait 18-20 weeks before starting the program. The difference was substantial, with a measurement called Cohen's d at 1.5, indicating a significant impact. Another study found that hoarding severity dropped by 27 to 35% for those attending the workshop. This suggests that BIT can significantly help people dealing with hoarding. Overall, the evidence supports BIT as a promising treatment option for hoarding disorder.²³⁴⁶⁷