Behavioral Therapy for Children and Adolescents With Tourette Syndrome

Behavioral Therapy for Children and Adolescents With Tourette Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Taiwan

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a common neuropsychiatric disorder in childhood and adolescence, and often comorbid with psychiatric comorbidity. Antipsychotic medications are usually the first choices, but may associate with adverse effects. Behavioral intervention for TS has been shown to be an effective treatment for children and adolescents, yet have not been performed and evaluated using control trails in Taiwan.

TS is a common neuropsychiatric disorder in childhood and adolescence, and often comorbid with psychiatric comorbidity. Antipsychotic medications are usually the first choices, but may associate with adverse effects. Behavioral intervention for TS has been shown to be an effective treatment for children and adolescents, yet have not been performed and evaluated using control trails in Taiwan. This study therefore was to evaluate the efficacy of a comprehensive behavioral intervention therapy on improving tics and tic-related impairment for children and adolescents with Tourette syndrome.

Inclusion Criteria:

• DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria For Tourette Syndrome
• Patients aged from 6-15 years who were diagnosed with TS or CTD,
• Never received any pharmacological treatment
• Ability to understand the study purpose and/or provide consent for participation independently and via a caregiver serving as a proxy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Have been diagnosed with another mental illness,
• Had no physical or medical condition,
• Had been received CBIT or cognitive behavior therapy before.