Variables Associated With Tic Exacerbation in Children With Chronic Tic Disorders

Michael B. Himle, Matthew R. Capriotti, Loran P. Hayes, Krishnapriya Ramanujam, Lawrence Scahill, Denis G. Sukhodolsky, Sabine Wilhelm, Thilo Deckersbach, Alan L. Peterson, Matt W. Specht, John T. Walkup, Susanna Chang, John Piacentini

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Research has shown that motor and vocal tics fluctuate in frequency, intensity, and form in response to environmental and contextual cues. Behavioral models have proposed that some of the variation in tics may reflect context-dependent interactive learning processes such that once tics are performed, they are influenced by environmental contingencies. The current study describes the results of a function-based assessment of tics (FBAT) from a recently completed study comparing Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) with supportive psychotherapy. The current study describes the frequency with which antecedent and consequence variables were reported to exacerbate tics and the relationships between these functional variables and sample baseline characteristics, comorbidities, and measures of tic severity. Results showed that tic-exacerbating antecedents and consequences were nearly ubiquitous in a sample of children with chronic tic disorder. In addition, functional variables were related to baseline measures of comorbid internalizing symptoms and specific measures of tic severity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)163-183
Number of pages21
JournalBehavior Modification
Volume38
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics
  • Tourette disorder
  • chronic tic disorder
  • function-based assessment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)

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