The Long-Term Effects of Group-Based Psychological Interventions for Children With Tourette Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Julia Dabrowski; John King; Katie Edwards; Rachel Yates; Isobel Heyman; Sharon Zimmerman-Brenner; Tara Murphy

doi:10.1016/j.beth.2017.10.005

The Long-Term Effects of Group-Based Psychological Interventions for Children With Tourette Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Behav Ther. 2018 May;49(3):331-343. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2017.10.005. Epub 2017 Dec 6.

Authors

Julia Dabrowski¹, John King¹, Katie Edwards¹, Rachel Yates², Isobel Heyman³, Sharon Zimmerman-Brenner⁴, Tara Murphy⁵

Affiliations

¹ University College London.
² Royal Holloway, University of London.
³ Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust; UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health.
⁴ Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya; Tourette Syndrome Association in Israel.
⁵ Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust; UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health. Electronic address: Tara.Murphy@ucl.ac.uk.

PMID: 29704964
DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2017.10.005

Abstract

This randomized controlled trial examined the long-term effects of group-based psychological interventions on measures of tic severity, self-reported quality of life (QOL), and school attendance. Children (n = 28) with Tourette syndrome (TS) were assessed 12 months after completing a course of either group-based Habit Reversal Training (HRT) or Education. Both groups demonstrated long-term improvement in tic severity and QOL, which included significant continued improvement during the follow-up (FU) period. Both groups also showed significant posttreatment improvement in school attendance. Further research is required to explore potential therapeutic mechanisms, independent or mutual, which may underlie long-term symptom improvements.

Keywords: Tourette syndrome; children; habit reversal training; long-term follow-up; psychoeducation.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Absenteeism
Adolescent
Child
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Psychotherapy, Group / methods*
Quality of Life
Schools
Severity of Illness Index
Tourette Syndrome / psychology
Tourette Syndrome / therapy*
Treatment Outcome