Actively Recruiting
CBIT Combined with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Chronic Tics in Youth Ages 12-21
Led by University of Minnesota · Updated on 2026-05-20
60
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating a combined treatment for young people aged 12 to 21 with chronic tics, including Tourette Syndrome. Chronic tics are disabling symptoms linked to various child-onset mental disorders and can greatly affect quality of life, emotional and behavioral health, and increase suicide risk. The study focuses on improving tic suppression ability, which is key for success in Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), but many youth lack this ability. This trial assesses the clinical and brain effects of combining CBIT with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) targeting the supplementary motor area (SMA).
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
CBIT+TMS R33 Phase
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 12-21 years at time of enrollment
- Current chronic motor and/or vocal tics lasting at least 1 year without a tic-free period longer than 3 consecutive months
- Moderate or greater tic severity, with Yale Global Tic Severity Scale total score of 14 or higher (or 9 or higher for motor or vocal tics only)
- Full scale IQ greater than 70
- Participant, parent, and consenting adult must be fluent and literate in English
- Stable psychotropic medications (except neuroleptic/antipsychotic) for at least 6 weeks before and during the approximately 3-week intervention
- Participants receiving non-tic-focused psychotherapy allowed
- Prior tic-specific therapy allowed if tic severity criteria met
You will not qualify if you...
- Medical conditions increasing risk with TMS, including intracranial pathology, epilepsy, seizures, brain injury, brain tumor, stroke, implanted devices or metal in head
- Pregnancy or girls of childbearing potential not using effective contraception
- Inability to undergo MRI (e.g., metal in body, claustrophobia, orthodontia)
- Active suicidality
- Previous diagnosis of psychosis or cognitive disability
- Substance abuse or dependence within past year
- Current psychotherapy focused on tics
- Use of neuroleptic/antipsychotic medications
- Medications not stable for at least 6 weeks or with planned changes during intervention
- Pregnant individuals as confirmed by medical history or urine test
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Approximately 2 weeks
Participants receive 10 daily sessions of Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) combined with either active or sham transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Assessments occur before and after the treatment period.
10 daily visits (in-person)
Duration - 6 months
Participants complete follow-up assessments to monitor tic severity, behavioral functioning, and other outcomes at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment.
3 visits (in-person) at 1, 3, and 6 months post-treatment
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55414
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
C
Christine Conelea, PhD, LP
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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