A Review of Cognitive and Behavioral Interventions for Tic Disorder

• Published in: Soa--chʻŏngsonyŏn chŏngsin ŭihak = Journal of child & adolescent psychiatry Vol. 32; no. 2; pp. 51 - 62
• Main Authors: Kim, Kyoung Min, Bae, Eunju, Lee, Jiryun, Park, Tae-Won, Lim, Myung Ho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) 대한소아청소년정신의학회 01.04.2021; Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Subjects: Behavior modification; Clinical trials; Drug therapy; Habits; Original; Psychoanalysis; Psychotherapy; Tourette syndrome; Tic disorders; Cognitive behavioral therapy
• ISSN: 1225-729X; 2233-9183
• DOI: 10.5765/jkacap.200042

Tic disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by multiple involuntary movements of muscles or vocalization. Although tic symptoms subside as the patient ages, some patients suffer from significant functional impairments related to severe tic symptoms. This manuscript aimed to review the latest scientific evidences for the effect of cognitive-behavioral interventions on tic disorder. The relevant studies were identified by searching medical research databases. We focused our search on studies published between 2000 and 2020 in order to reflect the latest scientific evidence. A total of 821 articles were identified in the initial database search and 27 articles were finally included for the review after the exclusion of duplicated and irrelevant articles. Behavioral therapies including habit reversal training, Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics, and exposure and response prevention were the most widely studied interventions for tic disorder and are recommended as first-line treatments for tic disorders with high confidence. Cognitive psychophysiologic approaches were also reported to be effective. Further studies are needed to support the future treatment of tics with low-cost and more widely available treatments, in order to ensure better treatment outcomes.