Can the Cognitive-Psychophysiological Treatment of Tics be Optimized Through Biofeedback in Adolescents and Emerging Adults With Tourette Syndrome? - A Randomized Clinical Trial

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of a cognitive-psychophysiological (CoPs) therapy with or without biofeedback in treating tics in young people aged 14 to 21 with Tourette Syndrome. This study aims to determine if adding biofeedback to the CoPs therapy improves tic severity and overall clinical impressions more than CoPs therapy alone. The study also explores how psychosocial, neurocognitive, and biological factors may predict treatment improvements. Participants will undergo a pre-test phase involving two interviews lasting three hours each, assessing tic severity and related psychosocial, biological, and neurocognitive functions. Following this, participants will attend 10 to 12 weekly therapy sessions. One group will receive CoPs therapy alone, which includes six therapeutic steps such as awareness training and relapse prevention. Another group will receive the same CoPs therapy plus 25 minutes of electromyographic biofeedback exercises designed to help control muscle activity. Adolescents aged 14 to 17 receive a tailored treatment guide to support their understanding. Throughout the study, participants will be evaluated using multiple tests before treatment, immediately after, and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. These tests measure tic severity, stress, depression, self-esteem, quality of life, and various cognitive functions. The main outcome is monitored by the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) over about one year. This thorough assessment helps researchers understand the therapy's impact and track any changes in tic symptoms and related areas.

Cognitive-psychophysiological Treatment for Tics in Young People With Tourette's Syndrome With or Without Biofeedback