Incorporating teleCBIT Into a Hospital-Based Tic Program

Incorporating teleCBIT Into a Hospital-Based Tic Program

This is a single-arm open trial of Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) delivered to pediatric and adult patients with persistent tic disorders in their homes via videoconferencing (i.e., teleCBIT). All participants who enroll will receive teleCBIT.

Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) is a behavioral therapy with proven efficacy for treating persistent tic disorders (e.g., Tourette Syndrome) in youth and adults. Lack of access to a local CBIT provider prevents treatment access for many patients who could benefit from CBIT. Providing CBIT to patients in their homes via videoconferencing technology (i.e., teleCBIT) is a promising approach to increasing CBIT access. This study investigates treatment uptake, acceptability, feasibility, and clinical effectiveness of teleCBIT among pediatric and adult patients enrolled as patients in a state-of-the-art medical tic program.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age 5-65, diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome or other persistent tic disorder (per diagnostic interview and self-report of prior physician diagnosis)
• Clinical Global Impressions - Severity Score > 3 (i.e., "moderately ill" or worse),
• unmedicated or on stable medication treatment for tics and psychiatric problems,
• fluency in English
• a functional accessible home computer and high speed (i.e., cable/DSL) internet connection
• willingness to sign a release of information to contact a local, licensed medical or mental health provider, of whom they are currently a patient (in case of emergent safety concerns).
• Minor participants must have a parent or guardian who is fluent in English available to attend treatment and assessment sessions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• significant suicidality, (i.e., a score of > 12 on the MINI or MINI-Kid suicidality module);
• prior diagnoses of intellectual disability; pervasive developmental disorder, mania, schizophrenia, psychotic disorder, substance abuse, substance dependence, or conduct disorder; currently experiencing a psychosocial, psychiatric, or neurological problem that requires immediate care
• lack of a functional home computer with high speed (i.e., cable or DSL) internet connection;
• or, prior receipt of >3 previous sessions of behavior therapy for tics within the past year (per self/parent report)