Online training program for therapists to treat tic disorders

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates a new online training program called CBIT-Trainer designed to teach therapists how to administer Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) effectively. It compares this online approach to the traditional in-person training method, assessing both the therapists' ability to deliver CBIT and the impact on patients' tic symptoms. The study aims to address the shortage of trained therapists in CBIT, which is crucial for improving access to this effective non-drug treatment for tic disorders. By utilizing a randomized controlled trial design, the study seeks to provide evidence on the efficacy of the online training program.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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.

Where it's running

• University of Utah
  Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Recruiting
• Marquette University
  Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Suzanne Mouton-Odum, PhD — PsycTech, LLC
• Study coordinator: Michael Himle, PhD
• Email: michael.himle@utah.edu
• Phone: 801-581-7529

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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• Mindfulness intervention for managing tics in Tourette syndrome

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• Combined ERP and Habit Reversal Therapy for Tourettic OCD

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.