TicTimer software for measuring tic suppression

F1000Res. 2017 Aug 24:6:1560. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.12327.2. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Woods and Himle developed a standardized tic suppression paradigm (TSP) for the experimental setting, to quantify the effects of intentional tic suppression in Tourette syndrome. The present article describes a Java program that automates record keeping and reward dispensing during the several experimental conditions of the TSP. The software can optionally be connected to a commercial reward token dispenser to further automate reward delivery to the participant. The timing of all tics, 10-second tic-free intervals, and dispensed rewards is recorded in plain text files for later analysis. Expected applications include research on Tourette syndrome and related disorders.

Keywords: Tourette syndrome; psychology; reinforcement; reward; software; tic disorders.