Understanding premonitory urges during tic treatment with Habit Reversal Training
Investigating Changes in Premonitory Urges During Habit Reversal Training
This study is testing how kids and teens with Tourette Disorder experience changes in their urges to tic while they try a treatment called Habit Reversal Training.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 6 (estimated) |
| Ages | 8 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Utah Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Salt Lake City, Utah) |
| Trial ID | NCT06825520 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children and adolescents aged 8 to 17 with a diagnosis of Tourette Disorder who experience multiple tics and significant premonitory urges.
Not a fit: Patients with unmanaged comorbid conditions such as ADHD, OCD, or anxiety may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved treatment strategies for managing tics and associated premonitory urges in affected individuals.
How similar studies have performed: While there is existing research on Habit Reversal Training, this specific investigation into the relationship between premonitory urges and tic treatment is novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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 this trial is running
Salt Lake City, Utah
- 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
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.