Date of Award
Spring 2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Douglas Woods
Abstract
Tics are abrupt, repetitive, and non-rhythmic movements (motor tics) and vocalizations (vocal tics). Persistent (Chronic) Tic Disorders (PTDs), which include conditions such as Tourette Disorder (TD), are characterized by involuntary motor and vocal tics. PTDs are associated with a myriad of adverse social repercussions, reduced quality of life, and concurrent psychiatric diagnoses, and occur in approximately 1.1% to 4.8% of the global population. Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) stands as the primary nonpharmacological therapeutic approach for tics. Although the efficacy of CBIT has been established in multiple large-scale randomized control trials (RCTs), there is a paucity of research scrutinizing the effectiveness of CBIT within standard outpatient settings. Consequently, the current study involved a chart review in a university-based clinic to elucidate the effectiveness of CBIT in a psychology training clinic that specializes in tic treatment. Objective 1 sought to use preexisting data on tic severity and self-reported distress to assess the outcomes of a CBIT specialty training clinic. Patients who receive CBIT in this setting were hypothesized to experience a significant reduction in tic severity and tic-related perceived distress from first to last visit. Objective 2 aimed to investigate potential differences in the duration of administration between a naturalistic context of CBIT and the standardized CBIT protocol. It was hypothesized that the average number of CBIT sessions delivered to patients in a real-world community clinic would be notably lower than the predetermined quantity outlined in the standard CBIT protocol. Objective 3 aimed to investigate whether patient sex at birth and age predicted change in tic severity over the course of CBT. It was hypothesized that greater tic severity would be reduced more significantly for males and older patients compared to females and younger patients.