JHU COACH

Center for OCD, Anxiety, and Related Disorders for Children

Remote Delivery of Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Tics

This is an online tic treatment study to compare a mindfulness-based intervention for tics (MBIT) to psychoeducation with relaxation and supportive therapy (PRST) for individuals with Tourette Disorder and other persistent tic disorders (collectively TS). It is our hope that we can use this information to improve current treatments for adults with TS. (IRB00413599)

Am I eligible to participate?

  • are at least 18 years of age
  • have TS and moderate tic severity
  • are not taking medication and/or receiving psychotherapy for TS, or be on a stable dose of medication (for 8 weeks) and/or stable dose of psychotherapy (6 months) prior to participation
  • English speaking and in the USA

Overview of Study Procedures

Phone Screen

The phone screen will allow us to learn more about you to help us determine if the study will be a good fit. The initial intake phone call may take up to 30 minutes.

Visit 1

At the first visit, you will complete an interview and questionnaires about tics and related symptoms to determine full eligibility for the study.

Visit 2

Afterwards, you will complete a second visit where you will be re-administered questionnaires and assessments about tics and related symptoms.

Treatment

Participants will be randomly assigned (by chance, like a coin flip) to receive either the mindfulness-based intervention for tics (MBIT) or psychoeducation with relaxation and supportive therapy (PRST). Treatment will last 8 weeks.

Mid-Treatment

You will complete an assessment visit at mid-treatment, in which you will be re-administered questionnaires and assessments about tics and related symptoms.

Post-Treatment

After completing treatment, you will complete a post-treatment assessment visit to evaluate changes in tics and related symptoms.

Follow-Up Visits

All participants will receive live, therapist-delivered group booster sessions after the post-treatment assessment. All participants will complete additional follow-up assessment visits to evaluate changes in tics and related symptoms over time up to 6-months after the completion of treatment.

Funding Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Interested? Email us at mbit@jh.edu

Study Team Members

FAQs

Are there any in-person visits or activities?

Participation in this study is 100% virtual– all study assessment visits, therapy sessions, and survey forms will be completed online. All virtual study activities will be conducted on secure, HIPAA-compliant online platforms (e.g., Zoom). There are no in-person study activities.

Will I be compensated for my participation?

You will be compensated $50 for each assessment visit, for up to a total of $350. There is no compensation for treatment visits.

What is done with my information if I participate?

Any information you share with us will NOT be provided to anyone (including your insurance/ health care provider) without you formally submitting a written request that we do so. We strictly follow the data collection and storage policy as outlined by The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in order to protect your privacy and the confidentiality of the information you provide.

How can I get in touch with the study team?

Please email mbit@jh.edu to get in touch with a coordinator for this specific study.