Comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT) administered individually is an effective treatment for tics. However, the effectiveness of CBIT administered in groups for adults with Tourette syndrome and chronic tic disorders has not been investigated yet. This pilot study examined the effectiveness of group‐based CBIT with respect to reduction of tic severity and tic‐related impairment, as well as improvement of tic‐related quality of life. Data from 26 patients were included in the intention‐to‐treat analyses. The Yale Global Tic Severity Scale was used to assess total tic severity and tic‐related impairment. The Gilles de la Tourette – Quality of Life Scale was used to assess tic‐related quality of life. These measures were administered at three points in time: at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 1‐year follow‐up. The results showed a significant reduction of total tic severity from pretreatment to 1‐year follow‐up, with larges effect sizes. Tic‐related impairment and tic‐related quality of life also improved significantly, although the effect sizes were smaller. Motor tics showed a stronger reduction than vocal tics. Additional analysis revealed that all change was achieved during treatment and that this effect was maintained from posttreatment to 1‐year follow‐up. The results of this study indicate that group‐based CBIT is a promising treatment for tics.
Tourette syndrome first appears in childhood and is characterised by chronic motor and vocal tics. In other countries, the mean prevalence is estimated at 0.77 % in children aged 6-15 years. Diagnostic practice and treatment have not been investigated in Norway.We used data retrieved from the Norwegian Patient Registry and the National Registry to calculate the percentage of children born during the period 2002-10 diagnosed with Tourette syndrome. The calculations were made for the country as a whole as well as by county. Drug therapy was investigated using data from the Norwegian Prescription Database.By the age of 12, altogether 0.43 % had received a diagnosis of Tourette syndrome, broken down into 0.71 % for boys and 0.15 % for girls. The overall percentage varied from 0.15 % to 1.23 % between the counties. For Norway as a whole, the percentage of diagnoses remained stable between 2008 and 2016. Psychiatric and neurological conditions were often present - the most common being hyperkinetic disorder (50 %) and autism spectrum disorder (11 %). Antipsychotic drugs, probably for the treatment of tics, were prescribed for 16 % in the year following the diagnosis.The percentage of children with a diagnosis of Tourette syndrome is lower than the mean prevalence in population studies internationally. The diagnostic practice varies considerably from county to county.
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