Evaluating Mobile App-Assisted Behavioral Treatment for Children and Adolescents with Chronic Tic Disorders Using Habit Reversal and Exposure Response Prevention

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a mobile app-assisted behavioral treatment for children and adolescents aged 9 to 17 with chronic tic disorders, including Tourette syndrome. These neurodevelopmental disorders involve sudden, repetitive movements or vocalizations called tics, which can cause distress. The study aims to improve access to effective tic treatments that combine Habit Reversal Training HRT and Exposure Response Prevention ERP through a digital platform, making treatment more available and encouraging adherence, especially for those managed in primary care. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups one receiving app-assisted training based on the Niks til Tics manual combining HRT and ERP over eight sessions plus a booster session, and the other receiving app-based psychoeducation about tics. The app releases new content session by session in the treatment group, while the education group accesses all app content from the first session. This randomized controlled trial compares the two approaches to assess the effectiveness of the app-assisted training. Throughout the study, participants undergo assessments including the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale YGTSS at multiple time points up to about two years after starting. Additional measures include scales for premonitory urges, beliefs about tics, and parent and child self-evaluations. The study also tracks treatment satisfaction and changes in tic intensity. The trial is sponsored by Aarhus University Hospital and aims to contribute new knowledge on digital interventions for tic disorders.

Mobile App-assisted Behavioral Treatment in Children and Adolescents With Tics