Trajectories of Change in Tourette Syndrome

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · Nov 5, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, titled "Trajectories of Change in Tourette Syndrome," is focused on understanding how symptoms of Tourette Syndrome and tic disorders change over time, especially during a behavioral treatment. The study aims to recruit 30 young people aged 12 to 17 who have had chronic tics for at least a year. Eligible participants will need to have moderate tic severity and should be fluent in English. The study will not include individuals with certain mental health conditions, low IQ, or recent substance abuse.

Participants in this trial can expect to go through three phases over 16 weeks: a pre-intervention phase lasting four weeks, an eight-week intervention phase, and a four-week post-intervention phase. Throughout this time, researchers will gather information about their tic symptoms through traditional assessments, daily check-ins via smartphone (which will occur four times a day), and data from wearable devices. This study seeks to find tailored treatments that can improve the lives of those with Tourette Syndrome by understanding how their symptoms change in response to different factors and interventions.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Presence of chronic motor and/or vocal tics, defined as tics for at least 1 year without a tic-free period of more than 3 consecutive months. Tics must not be due to a medical condition or the direct physiological effects of a substance.
• • 2. At least moderate tic severity, defined as a Yale Global Tic Severity Scale44 total score ≥14 (≥9 for those with motor or vocal tics only).
• • 3. Participants must be fluent in English to ensure comprehension of study measures and instructions.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Previous diagnosis of psychosis or cognitive disability,
• • 2. IQ \< 80,
• • 3. Substance abuse or dependence within the past year.
• • 4. Current suicidal intent.
• • 5. Changes in medication in the previous 4 weeks.