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

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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.

Original languageEnglish
JournalNeuropediatrics
Volume54
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)99-106
Number of pages8
ISSN0174-304X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

    Research areas

  • exposure and response prevention, behavioral therapy, web-based videoconference, Tourette syndrome, telemedicine, tics, HABIT-REVERSAL, BEHAVIOR-THERAPY, TIC DISORDERS, PILOT TRIAL, PREVALENCE, SCALE, COMORBIDITIES, POPULATION, SEVERITY

ID: 334002698