Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable
Age: 8Years - 17Years
All Genders
ID06825520

Investigating Changes in Premonitory Urges During Habit Reversal Training for Tics in Children and Adolescents

Led by University of Utah · Updated on 2025-05-28

6

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

43 weeks

Total Duration

On this page

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating how premonitory urges (PUs), which are uncomfortable sensations signaling an upcoming tic, change during Habit Reversal Training (HRT) for tics in children and adolescents aged 8 to 17. The study aims to understand whether these urges decrease within and between HRT sessions, which could provide insights into how tic symptoms improve and the mechanisms behind tic maintenance and reduction. This research is important because while tics can be reduced, it is unclear if the premonitory urges diminish alongside tic improvement. Participants will undergo three therapist-guided HRT sessions, each lasting one hour, focusing on three specific tics. In addition to these sessions, participants will engage in 15 practice sessions over three weeks, each about 30 minutes, to practice competing responses learned during therapy. Both study visits and practice sessions will be conducted in person and online via secure videoconference, allowing flexibility in participation. During the study, participants will attend a total of five study visits, including intake, treatment, and a post-assessment. Researchers will measure premonitory urge severity using an urge thermometer during baseline observations, each HRT session, practice sessions, and post-assessment. Tic frequency will also be counted during these times to assess changes. The study is designed to closely monitor fluctuations in urges and tic behaviors throughout treatment and practice, with sessions lasting from 1 to 1.5 hours and practice sessions around 30 minutes each.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Investigating Changes in Premonitory Urges During Habit Reversal Training for Tics

Who Can Participate

Age: 8Years - 17Years
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Participants must have a DSM-5-TR diagnosis of Tourette Disorder
  • Must have at least three motor and/or vocal tics and be interested in treatment
  • Experience a premonitory urge rated at least 4 out of 8 for each target tic
  • Targeted tics occur on average at least once per minute during a 10-minute observation
  • Aged between 8 and 17 years
  • No planned changes in medication initiation or dosage during study participation
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Presence of comorbid conditions that interfere with treatment, such as unmanaged ADHD, OCD, or anxiety
  • Previous participation in more than two sessions of CBIT or HRT
  • Yale Global Tic Severity Score of 40 or higher, or 20 or higher for primary motor or vocal tic disorder
  • Tics suspected to be due to functional neurological symptom disorder according to DSM-5-TR criteria

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility

1
2
3
+1

Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person)

Outpatient Treatment

Duration - 3 weeks

Participants receive habit reversal training (HRT) involving 3 therapist-guided sessions and practice sessions to reduce tics by learning competing responses.

3 weekly therapist-guided sessions and 15 practice sessions during the week

Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 84112

Actively Recruiting

Loading map...

Research Team

E

Emily I Braley, MS

M

Michael Himle, PhD

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

NONE

Allocation

NA

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Number of Arms

1

Similar Trials

Can the Cognitive-Psychophysiological Treatment of Tics be O...

Tourette Syndrome

Actively Recruiting

1 location

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support

Not the Right Trial for You?

Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Already have an account? Log in here

Published Research Related To This Trial

The development of stimulus control over tics: a potential explanation for contextually-based variability in the symptoms of Tourette syndrome.

Douglas W Woods, Michael R Walther, Christopher C Bauer...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19026406

Behavior therapy for tics in children: acute and long-term effects on psychiatric and psychosocial functioning.

Douglas W Woods, John C Piacentini, Lawrence Scahill...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21555779

The DIAMOND-KID: Psychometric Properties of a Structured Diagnostic Interview for DSM-5 Anxiety, Mood, and Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders in Children and Adolescents.

David F Tolin, Kimberly S Sain, Elizabeth Davis...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36632642

Investigating the effects of tic suppression on premonitory urge ratings in children and adolescents with Tourette's syndrome.

Michael B Himle, Douglas W Woods, Christine A Conelea...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17854764