Evaluation of an Online Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) Therapist Training Program

Summary

Tic disorders are a class of childhood-onset neuropsychiatric disorders that occur in 1-3% of the population. Studies have shown that a non-drug treatment known as Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) is more effective than supportive therapy for reducing tics in children and adults. Although CBIT is now recommended as a first-line intervention for tic disorders, many patients do not have access to CBIT, in part due to a lack of trained therapists. Currently, the only option available for training therapists in CBIT is an intensive, two day, in-person behavior therapy training institute (BTTI). This study will compare the traditional in-person training approach to a recently developed online, self-paced CBIT therapist training program called CBIT-Trainer with regard to (1) therapists' ability to accurately administer CBIT and (2) change in the severity of patients' tic symptoms after being treated by a CBIT-trained therapist.

Conditions

• Tics
• Tic Disorders
• Tourette Syndrome

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Behavior Therapy Training Institute

In-person therapist training will follow the Tourette Association of America's established Behavior Therapy Training Institute procedures and will consist of 12 hours of in-person training conducted over the course of 2 days. Day 1 will involve standardized didactic lectures on tic disorders and video demonstrations of therapeutic techniques. Day 2 will involve break-out groups and role-play practice of CBIT techniques. Participants (therapists) will receive up to three, 30-minute follow-up consultations with a training instructor while providing CBIT to a study-enrolled patient.

BEHAVIORAL

CBIT-Trainer

In the online therapist training condition participants will be provided with access to the CBIT-Trainer program and asked to complete the training over the course of 4 weeks. CBIT-Trainer is designed for the average user to complete in approximately 12 hours. Participants (therapists) will receive up to three, 30-minute follow-up consultations with a CBIT expert while providing CBIT to a study-enrolled patient.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Marquette University

  collaborator OTHER

• PsycTech, LLC

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• University of Utah

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Suzanne Mouton-Odum, PhD · PsycTech, LLC

• Michael Himle, PhD · University of Utah

• Doug Woods, PhD · Marquette University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

7 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-06-27

Primary Completion

2024-12-31

Completion

2025-06-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations