Mobile App-assisted Behavioral Treatment in Children and Adolescents With Tics

Launched by AARHUS UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · May 22, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new mobile app that helps children and adolescents with tic disorders, such as Tourette syndrome or chronic motor/vocal tics. Tics are sudden movements or sounds that can be distressing, and this study aims to see if using the app, along with behavioral training, can improve tic management more effectively than just providing educational materials. The training includes techniques known to help with tics, and the trial will compare the effectiveness of app-assisted training to a single session of education about tics.

To be eligible for this trial, participants should be between the ages of 3 and 17 and have a diagnosis of a tic disorder with a certain level of severity. They should not have serious mental health issues, such as severe depression or eating disorders, and should not have participated in similar tic training in the past six months. Those who join the study can expect to receive either the app-assisted training or educational resources, and their tic severity will be monitored throughout the process. This research hopes to provide valuable insights into how digital tools can support children and their families in managing tics more effectively.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • a primary diagnosis of a chronic motor/vocal tics disorder including Tourette syndrome according to the WHO ICD-10 diagnostic criteria and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
• • a total tic score higher than 13 on the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS), or above a tic score of 9, if only motor or vocal tics are present
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • psychotic disorder
• • primary severe depression
• • suicidal ideation or attempts
• • primary severe eating disorder
• • IQ below 70 (mental retardation)
• • participation in tic training based on HRT/ERP treatment within 6 months