Treatment of Tourette Syndrome With Attention Training Technique-A Case Series

Anja Schaich; Valerie Brandt; Alena Senft; Christian Schiemenz; Jan-Philipp Klein; Eva Faßbinder; Alexander Münchau; Daniel Alvarez-Fischer

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.519931

Treatment of Tourette Syndrome With Attention Training Technique-A Case Series

Front Psychiatry. 2020 Sep 29:11:519931. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.519931. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Anja Schaich¹, Valerie Brandt², Alena Senft¹, Christian Schiemenz³, Jan-Philipp Klein¹, Eva Faßbinder¹, Alexander Münchau³, Daniel Alvarez-Fischer^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
² Department of Psychology, Centre for Innovation in Mental Health, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
³ Institute of Systems Motor Science, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.

Abstract

The existing therapeutic strategies of Tourette syndrome (TS) do not lead to sufficient improvement in a significant number of patients. Recently published studies show that paying attention to tics increases whereas directing attention away decreases tic frequency. The aim of the present case series in three patients with TS was to investigate the effect of attention training technique (ATT) on TS symptoms. ATT is a technique derived from metacognitive therapy that aims on training patients to consciously (re-)focus their attention away from themselves. Friedman's chi-square test indicated a trend regarding the reduction of tic frequency and tic severity and a significant reduction of positive metacognitions from pre-baseline to follow-up. Reliable Change Indices (RCIs) are given for each measure and patient. Given the small number of patients, further studies including randomized controlled trials appear warranted.

Keywords: Gilles de la Tourette syndrome; attention training technique; metacognitive therapy; psychotherapy; tic.