Living with tics: Reduced impairment and improved quality of life for youth with chronic tic disorders

• Published in: Psychiatry research 2015-02, Vol.225 (3), p.571-579
• Main Authors: McGuire, Joseph F, Arnold, Elysse, Park, Jennifer M, Nadeau, Joshua M, Lewin, Adam B, Murphy, Tanya K, Storch, Eric A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Behavior Therapy - methods; Child; Chronic Disease; Chronic tic disorders; Cognitive behavior therapy; Cognitive Therapy - methods; Female; Functional impairment; Humans; Male; Parents - education; Problem Solving; Psychiatry; Quality of Life; Single-Blind Method; Tic Disorders - psychology; Tic Disorders - therapy; Tourette Disorder; Tourette Syndrome - psychology; Tourette Syndrome - therapy; Treatment outcome
• ISSN: 0165-1781; 1872-7123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2014.11.045

Abstract Pharmacological and behavioral interventions have focused on reducing tic severity to alleviate tic-related impairment for youth with chronic tic disorders (CTDs), with no existing intervention focused on the adverse psychosocial consequences of tics. This study examined the preliminary efficacy of a modularized cognitive behavioral intervention (“Living with Tics”, LWT) in reducing tic-related impairment and improving quality of life relative to a waitlist control of equal duration. Twenty-four youth (ages 7–17 years) with Tourette Disorder or Chronic Motor Tic Disorder and psychosocial impairment participated. A treatment-blind evaluator conducted all pre- and post-treatment clinician-rated measures. Youth were randomly assigned to receive the LWT intervention ( n =12) or a 10-week waitlist ( n =12). The LWT intervention consisted of up to 10 weekly sessions targeted at reducing tic-related impairment and developing skills to manage psychosocial consequences of tics. Youth in the LWT condition experienced significantly reduced clinician-rated tic-impairment, and improved child-rated quality of life. Ten youth (83%) in the LWT group were classified as treatment responders compared to four youth in the waitlist condition (33%). Treatment gains were maintained at one-month follow-up. Findings provide preliminary data that the LWT intervention reduces tic-related impairment and improves quality of life for youth with CTDs.