Evaluation of an Online Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) Therapist Training Program

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · Sep 15, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new online training program for therapists who want to help patients with tic disorders, such as Tourette Syndrome. The goal is to see if this online training, called CBIT-Trainer, is as effective as traditional in-person training. The study aims to determine how well therapists can use a non-drug treatment called Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) to reduce tic symptoms in children and adults.

To participate, therapists need to have a master's degree or higher in a mental health field and must be licensed to practice. They also need to be willing to train using either the online program or attend an in-person training if chosen. Patients eligible for the study must be at least 7 years old, have a diagnosed tic disorder, and show tic symptoms regularly. Both therapists and patients need access to a computer with internet and must speak fluent English. Participants can expect to receive support in managing tic symptoms through this research study, helping improve care for those affected by tic disorders.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• This study will recruit therapist-patient dyads who meet the criteria below:
• Therapist Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Have the equivalent of a Master's degree (or higher) in a mental/behavioral health, medical, or related discipline.
• • 2. Professionally licensed or certified to practice in their area of speciality.
• • 3. Attest that providing comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT) to treat children and/or adults with tic disorders falls within their scope of practice according to state licensing laws and regulations in the therapist's jurisdiction.
• • 4. Have never attended the Tourette Association of America's Behavior Therapy Training Institute or an equivalent focused on CBIT.
• • 5. Have access to a secure personal computer with high-speed internet access.
• • 6. Speaks fluent English.
• • 7. Has identified, or is willing to try to identify, at least 1 child or adult patient with a tic disorder who meets the patient inclusion criteria and who might be willing to participate in the study as a member of the therapist-patient dyad, and for whom the therapist is licensed or certified to treat with CBIT according to state licensing laws and regulations in the therapist's jurisdiction.
• • 8. Is willing to be randomly assigned to training condition.
• • 9. Is willing, able, and has the necessary resources to travel to, and attend, one of several in-person training sites if assigned to the in-person training condition.
• Therapist Exclusion Criteria:
• • (1) Therapist is a first, second, or third degree biological relative, stepparent, or legal guardian of the study-matched patient.
• Patient Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. 7 years of age or older (with consenting adult for minors).
• • 2. Self- or parent-reported diagnosis of a tic disorder (e.g., provisional tic disorder, persistent motor/vocal tic disorder, or Tourette's disorder) issued by a qualified professional.
• • 3. Currently engages in at least one motor and/or vocal tic multiple times per day.
• • 4. Patient (and consenting adult for minors) speaks fluent English.
• • 5. Access to a private computer with high-speed internet access.
• Patient Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Patients will be excluded if the study team is unable to identify and enroll a patient-matched therapist who meets the therapist inclusion criteria.
• • 2. Patient is a first, second, or third degree biological relative of the study-matched therapist or if the study-matched therapist is the patient's legal guardian.
• • 3. Any serious psychiatric or neurological condition that requires more immediate intervention or would interfere with study participation, based on the assessment of the treating therapist or the study investigators.