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Behavior Therapy for Chronic Tic Disorder

This study is looking at how a specific type of behavior therapy, called Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), helps people with chronic tics. CBIT is a well-known treatment where you learn to do a different action to stop a tic. The study aims to understand how tics change during and after this therapy. You might be able to join if you are between 12 and 21 years old and have had chronic motor or vocal tics for at least a year. Researchers will measure changes in your tic severity, how much tics affect your daily life, and your executive function (skills like planning and focus) at different times to see how well the treatment works. The study plans to enroll 30 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive a specific treatment. It plans to include 30 participants aged 12 to 21 years old.
What's involved
You would attend 8 sessions of CBIT over 10 weeks, with the last two sessions happening every other week. Your tic severity, disability, and executive function will be measured at the start, after treatment, and at two follow-up points.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed up 4-6 weeks and 12-14 weeks after the treatment ends.

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NCT06270251

Modeling Tic Change During Behavior Therapy for Tics

Recruiting
NAAges 12–21InterventionalTreatment
University of Minnesota
~30 participants
Updated 2026-03-19 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:CBIT

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Tic Severity
Measured over Baseline, post-treatment (week 8-10), follow up 1 (week 4-6 post-treatment) and follow up 2 (week 12-14) post-treatment)
+8 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Chronic Tic Disorder

Explore related trials

Chronic Tic Disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Minnesota1

Study leadership

  • Christine Conelea, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Minnesota

Who to contact

Brianna Wellen, PhD
6126265472
Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Age 12-21 years at time of enrollment.
Current chronic motor and/or vocal tics, defined as tics for at least 1 year without a tic-free period of more than 3 consecutive months. Tics must not be due to a medical condition or the direct physiological effects of a substance.
At least moderate tic severity, defined as a Yale Global Tic Severity Scale total score
Full scale IQ greater than 70
English fluency to ensure comprehension of study measures and instructions.

Exclusion

Active suicidality.
Previous diagnosis of psychosis or cognitive disability.
Substance abuse or dependence within the past year.
Concurrent psychotherapy focused on tics.
Neuroleptic/antipsychotic medications.
Taking a medication that has not reached stability criterion (same medication and dose for 6 weeks with no planned changes over the intervention period)

What this trial measures

  • Tic SeverityBaseline, post-treatment (week 8-10), follow up 1 (week 4-6 post-treatment) and follow up 2 (week 12-14) post-treatment)

    Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) will be used, which is Gold-standard, clinician administered tic severity scale. It includes symptom checklist of specific tic types YGTSS ranges from 0-50, higher scores are more severe tic symptoms

  • Sheehan Disability scaleBaseline, post-treatment (week 8-10), follow up 1 (week 4-6 post-treatment) and follow up 2 (week 12-14) post-treatment)

    Self and parent measure of functional impairment

  • Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive FunctionBaseline, post-treatment (week 8-10), follow up 1 (week 4-6 post-treatment) and follow up 2 (week 12-14) post-treatment)

    Self and parent-rated measure of impairment of executive function

  • Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ)Baseline, post-treatment (week 8-10), follow up 1 (week 4-6 post-treatment) and follow up 2 (week 12-14) post-treatment)

    Clinician-administered screen of suicidality

  • Child Attitudes Toward Illness Scale (CATIS)Baseline, post-treatment (week 8-10), follow up 1 (week 4-6 post-treatment) and follow up 2 (week 12-14) post-treatment)

    Self-report measure of favorably or unfavorably adolescent feels about having a chronic illness

  • Rosenberg Self-Esteem ScaleBaseline, post-treatment (week 8-10), follow up 1 (week 4-6 post-treatment) and follow up 2 (week 12-14) post-treatment)

    Self-report measure of adolescent feelings of self-esteem and self-worth

  • Caregiver Strain QuestionnaireBaseline, post-treatment (week 8-10), follow up 1 (week 4-6 post-treatment) and follow up 2 (week 12-14) post-treatment)

    Measure of strain experienced by caregivers and family of youth with health/emotional challenges

  • Clinical Global Impressions (CGI)Baseline, post-treatment (week 8-10), follow up 1 (week 4-6 post-treatment) and follow up 2 (week 12-14) post-treatment)

    Clinician, patient, parent-rated global measure of illness severity and improvement

  • Parent/Adult Tic QuestionnaireBaseline, post-treatment (week 8-10), follow up 1 (week 4-6 post-treatment) and follow up 2 (week 12-14) post-treatment)

    Adult-self or parent-report measure of tic symptoms and severity