VoIP Delivered Behavior Therapy for Tourette Syndrome
Tourette Syndrome, Chronic Tic Disorder
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Tourette Syndrome focused on measuring Tourette Syndrome, tic disorders, behavior therapy, web-based videoconferencing, VoIP
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Resides in the state of Wisconsin
- Ages 8-17
- Meets DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for Chronic Tic Disorder (CMVT or TS)
- Clinical global Impressions - Severity Score greater than or equal to 4 (moderately ill)
- YGTSS Total Score greater than or equal to 14 and less than 30 OR Total Score greater than or equal to 10 and less than 20 if CTD with motor tics only
- Unmedicated or on stable medication treatment for tics, OCD, ADHD, anxiety, and/or depressive disorder for at least 6 weeks, with no planned changes for duration of study participation
- Fluent English speaker
Exclusion Criteria:
- YGTSS Total Tic Score > 30 (for any score exceeding 30 on the YGTSS, the research team determined the appropriateness of the patient's participation in the study, taking into account the patient's global functioning)
- WASI-Vocab subtest T-Score < 37
- DSM-IV substance abuse or dependence or Conduct Disorder within the past 3 months
- Lifetime DSM-IV diagnosis of Pervasive developmental disorder, Mania, or Psychotic Disorder
- Any serious psychiatric, psychosocial, or neurological condition requiring immediate treatment other than that provided in the current
- Previous treatment with HRT for tics (four or more sessions)
- Lack of a functional, and accessible home computer, and high speed (i.e., cable/DSL) internet connection
- Refusal to sign a release of information form for the child's local primary care physician, mental health professional, or neurologist.
Sites / Locations
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Psychology Department
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
No Intervention
Behavior Therapy for Tics (CBIT)
Waitlist-control Group
The child 1) learns to become more aware of any sensations, or urges that may trigger tics, and 2) learn some other behavior (competing response) to do every time he/she feels the urge to tic. The child's parent is trained to provide prompts and praise for use of the competing response. The parent and family also receive psychoeducation about tics, and learn ways to reduce the impact of environmental stimuli on tic severity. The child learns relaxation techniques to reduce stress and make it easier for him/her to resist his or her tics. Prior to treatment sessions, the parent and child spend about 10 minutes discussing with the therapist any problematic issues he/she is having. At the end of treatment sessions the child is assigned some tasks to practice prior to the next session.
Participants in the waitlist-control group, do not receive behavior therapy for tics or any other treatment during the 10-week acute treatment period. Instead they child are placed on a waitlist to receive videoconference-delivered treatment following the end of the study period.