Understanding premonitory urges during tic treatment with Habit Reversal Training

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 aims to investigate how premonitory urges (PU) change during Habit Reversal Training (HRT) for treating tics associated with Tourette Disorder in children and adolescents. Participants will attend a series of in-person and online sessions where they will receive HRT for their tics and report on their PU experiences. The study will assess the relationship between tic suppression and changes in PU, providing insights into the mechanisms underlying tic disorders. By analyzing PU fluctuations during treatment, the research seeks to enhance the understanding of tic management strategies.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

Participants who meet criteria for a DSM-5-TR diagnosis of a TD will be recruited to participate in this study. Participants will be eligible for the study if they

1. present with at least three motor and/or vocal tics and are interested in receiving treatment,
2. report experiencing a PU for each of their target tics with a minimum rating of a 4/8 on a subjective rating (i.e., the Urge Thermometer; Silverman \& Albano, 1996) for each tic,
3. the targeted tics occur, on average, at least once per minute during a 10-minute direct observation,
4. are between the ages of 8 and 17
5. the patient has no planned changes in medication initiation or dosage during their study participation period.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. the presence of any comorbid conditions that are considered a primary treatment concern and/or could interfere with study participation or treatment (i.e., unmanaged ADHD, OCD, anxiety),
2. have previously engaged in CBIT or HRT for more than 2 sessions,
3. a Yale Global Tic Severity Score of 40+ (or 20+ if they present with a primary motor or vocal tic disorder),
4. suspected (based on clinical presentation) that the tics are better attributed to functional neurological symptom disorder per DSM-5-TR criteria (APA, 2022).

Where it's running

• University of Utah
  Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Emily I Braley, MS
• Email: theticlab@utah.edu
• Phone: 801-585-7114

Similar studies

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

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• Combined ERP and Habit Reversal Therapy for Tourettic OCD

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• Treatment for chronic tics in youth using behavioral therapy and brain stimulation

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• Understanding how serotonin affects impulsivity in Tourette Disorder

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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.