Habit reversal training and educational group treatments for children with tourette syndrome: A preliminary randomised controlled trial

Rachel Yates; Katie Edwards; John King; Olga Luzon; Michael Evangeli; Daniel Stark; Fiona McFarlane; Isobel Heyman; Başak İnce; Jana Kodric; Tara Murphy

doi:10.1016/j.brat.2016.03.003

Habit reversal training and educational group treatments for children with tourette syndrome: A preliminary randomised controlled trial

Behav Res Ther. 2016 May:80:43-50. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2016.03.003. Epub 2016 Mar 23.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK.
² Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, UK.
³ Tourette Syndrome Clinic, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
⁴ Tourette Syndrome Clinic, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; Institute of Child Health, University College London, UK.
⁵ Department of Psychology, İstanbul Arel University, Turkey.
⁶ Division of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia.
⁷ Tourette Syndrome Clinic, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; Institute of Child Health, University College London, UK. Electronic address: Tara.Murphy@ucl.ac.uk.

PMID: 27037483
DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2016.03.003

Abstract

Quality of life of children with Tourette Syndrome (TS) is impacted greatly by its symptoms and their social consequences. Habit Reversal Training (HRT) is effective but has not, until now, been empirically evaluated in groups. This randomised controlled trial evaluated feasibility and preliminary efficacy of eight HRT group sessions compared to eight Education group sessions. Thirty-three children aged 9-13 years with TS or Chronic Tic Disorder took part. Outcomes evaluated were tic severity and quality of life (QoL). Tic severity improvements were found in both groups. Motor tic severity (Yale Global Tic Severity Scale) showed greatest improvements in the HRT group. Both groups showed a strong tendency toward improvements in patient reported QoL. In conclusion, group-based treatments for TS are feasible and exposure to other children with tics did not increase tic expression. HRT led to greater reductions in tic severity than Education. Implications, such as cost-effectiveness of treatment delivery, are discussed.

Keywords: Children; Education; Group; Habit reversal training; Randomised controlled trial; Tourette syndrome.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Behavior Therapy / methods*
Child
Female
Habits
Humans
Male
Patient Education as Topic / methods
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychotherapy, Group / methods*
Quality of Life
Severity of Illness Index
Single-Blind Method
Tourette Syndrome / therapy*
Treatment Outcome