Evaluating Combined Exposure and Response Prevention and Habit Reversal Training for Adults with Tourettic Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate a combined psychological therapy integrating Exposure and Response Prevention ERP and Habit Reversal Training HbRT for adults with Tourettic Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder TOCD, a subtype that includes both obsessive-compulsive and tic symptoms. The study compares this combined approach against ERP alone, HbRT alone, and a psychoeducation supportive control to determine which is more effective at reducing symptoms. The trial involves adults aged 18 to 65 with confirmed diagnoses of various tic disorders or OCD. Participants are randomly assigned to one of four groups combined ERP and HbRT, ERP alone, HbRT alone, or psychoeducationsupportive therapy. All groups receive 12 weekly individual sessions lasting about 50 minutes each, delivered either face-to-face or remotely. The therapies involve different techniques such as exposure to fears and urges, tic awareness and competing responses, or supportive discussion without targeted behavioral methods. During the study, symptoms are assessed at the start, week 12, and week 24 using clinician-rated scales including the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale and Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale. Participants will be monitored for changes in tic severity and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. The study duration extends over several months, allowing evaluation of treatment effects both immediately after therapy and at follow-up.

Integrating Exposure and Response Prevention and Habit Reversal Techniques to Treat a Tourettic Subtype of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Tourettic OCD)