TY - JOUR

T1 - Exposure and Response Prevention for Children and Adolescents with Tourette Syndrome Delivered via Web-Based Videoconference versus Face-to-Face Method

AU - Soerensen, Camilla Birgitte

AU - Lange, Theis

AU - Jensen, Sidsel Normann

AU - Grejsen, Judy

AU - Aaslet, Lone

AU - Skov, Liselotte

AU - Debes, Nanette Mol

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Chronic tic disorders, such as Tourette syndrome, are characterized by motor and vocal tics. Tics present a considerable burden for some patients, and therefore, effective treatment is important. One evidence-based treatment option is a behavioral therapy called exposure and response prevention (ERP). Despite its effectiveness, access to ERP remains limited due to a lack of treatment sites. Web-based videoconferences can connect patients at home with a therapist located in the hospital, allowing for treatment delivery over a wide geographic area. The primary aim of this study was to compare the development of tics during and 1 year after ERP delivery, respectively, via web-based videoconferences and traditional face-to-face methods in a naturalistic setting. In total, 116 patients treated using either the face-to-face method ( n = 72) or web-based videoconferences ( n = 44) were included. The primary outcome measure was tic severity. In both training modalities, tic severity decreased during ERP and the effect lasted in the follow-up period. No statistically significant differences in tic severity between the training modalities were found at baseline, last training session, or at follow-up. Our results suggest that ERP delivered via web-based videoconferences is a good alternative to the traditional face-to-face method.

AB - Chronic tic disorders, such as Tourette syndrome, are characterized by motor and vocal tics. Tics present a considerable burden for some patients, and therefore, effective treatment is important. One evidence-based treatment option is a behavioral therapy called exposure and response prevention (ERP). Despite its effectiveness, access to ERP remains limited due to a lack of treatment sites. Web-based videoconferences can connect patients at home with a therapist located in the hospital, allowing for treatment delivery over a wide geographic area. The primary aim of this study was to compare the development of tics during and 1 year after ERP delivery, respectively, via web-based videoconferences and traditional face-to-face methods in a naturalistic setting. In total, 116 patients treated using either the face-to-face method ( n = 72) or web-based videoconferences ( n = 44) were included. The primary outcome measure was tic severity. In both training modalities, tic severity decreased during ERP and the effect lasted in the follow-up period. No statistically significant differences in tic severity between the training modalities were found at baseline, last training session, or at follow-up. Our results suggest that ERP delivered via web-based videoconferences is a good alternative to the traditional face-to-face method.

KW - exposure and response prevention

KW - behavioral therapy

KW - web-based videoconference

KW - Tourette syndrome

KW - telemedicine

KW - tics

KW - HABIT-REVERSAL

KW - BEHAVIOR-THERAPY

KW - TIC DISORDERS

KW - PILOT TRIAL

KW - PREVALENCE

KW - SCALE

KW - COMORBIDITIES

KW - POPULATION

KW - SEVERITY

U2 - 10.1055/a-1987-3205

DO - 10.1055/a-1987-3205

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 36423651

VL - 54

SP - 99

EP - 106

JO - Neuropediatrics

JF - Neuropediatrics

SN - 0174-304X

IS - 2

ER -