VISIT-TS version 2: A multimedia tool for population studies on tic disorders [version 1; peer review: 1 approved]

• Published in: F1000 research 2016, Vol.5, p.1518-1518
• Main Authors: Vachon, M. Jonathan, Striley, Catherine W, Gordon, Mollie R, Schroeder, Miriam L, Bihun, Emily C, Koller, Jonathan M, Black, Kevin J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Movement Disorders
• ISSN: 2046-1402; 2046-1402
• DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.7196.1

Population-based assessment of Tourette syndrome (TS) and other tic disorders produces a paradox. On one hand, ideally diagnosis of tic disorders requires expert observation. In fact, diagnostic criteria for TS explicitly require expert assessment of tics for a definite diagnosis. On the other hand, large-scale population surveys with expert assessment of every subject are impracticable. True, several published studies have successfully used expert assessment to find tic prevalence in a representative population (e.g. all students in a school district). However, extending these studies to larger populations is daunting. We created a multimedia tool to demonstrate tics to a lay audience, discuss their defining and common attributes, and address features that differentiate tics from other movements and vocalizations. A first version was modified to improve clarity and to include a more diverse group in terms of age and ethnicity. The result is a tool intended for epidemiological research. It may also provide additional benefits, such as more representative minority recruitment for other TS studies and increased community awareness of TS.