Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

6 p.

Publication Date

8-30-2016

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Psychiatry Research

Source ISSN

0165-1781

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.05.047

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the influence of environmental challenges on tic expression by subjective and objective measures. The study group consisted of 41 children aged 6–18 years (M=10.15, SD=2.73) with a primary diagnosis of Tourette syndrome. Subjective measures included the Functional Assessment Interview developed for this study and three standard validated instruments. The objective measure was a video-recording of the patients in five daily-life situations: watching television, doing homework, being alone, receiving attention when ticcing, and talking to a stranger. In addition, the effect of premonitory urges on assessment of tic expression was evaluated. The associations between the subjective and objective measures of tic expression were moderate to low. A significantly higher number of tics were observed in the television situation, and a significantly lower number in the alone situation, compared to the other situations. Higher levels of premonitory urge were associated with greater awareness of objectively measured tic expression. In conclusion, tic expression is significantly influenced by the environment. Subjective measures of tic expression may be misleading. These results have implications for refining the clinical assessment of tics, improving research methodology, and developing new therapeutic strategies.

Comments

Accepted version. Psychiatry Research, Vol. 242 (August 30, 2016): 204-209. DOI. © 2016 Elsevier. Used with permission.

Douglas W. Woods was affiliated with Texas A&M University at the time of publication.

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