Online training program for therapists to treat tic disorders

Finalizing and Testing an Online Therapist Training and Assistance Program to Facilitate Implementation of Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tic Disorders

This study tests a new online training program for therapists to see if it helps them better treat people with tic disorders compared to traditional in-person training.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 234 (estimated)
• Ages: 7 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Utah (Academic / other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Salt Lake City, Utah and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT05547854 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study include therapists with a Master's degree or higher in a relevant field who have not previously attended CBIT training and are willing to treat patients with tic disorders.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have access to a therapist trained in CBIT or who are not diagnosed with a tic disorder may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly increase the number of trained therapists available to provide effective treatment for tic disorders, improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success with similar training approaches, indicating that innovative methods for therapist training can effectively improve treatment delivery.

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.

Where this trial is running

Salt Lake City, Utah and 1 other locations

• 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

Conditions Tics; Tic Disorders; Tourette Syndrome; Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics