065 Exposure with response prevention for tourette's syndrome: a case study of a 6 year-old. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mateu, A; McFarlane, F; Taylor, C; Heyman, I
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 103(2018)Supplement 2
• Page Start: A27
• Page End: A27
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/goshabs.65
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP) is an effective treatment for reducing tic frequency and has been recommended as first line treatment for children with Tourette's syndrome (TS) and other tic disorders (Verdellen, Van De Griendt, Hartmann, et al., 2011). However, the application of ERP in children under the age of 7 has not been systematically studied and both case studies and randomized controlled trials (RCT) have only included children over 7 years old. The aim of this case study is to evaluate ERP to treat tics in a 6 year old child. Materials and methods: One child diagnosed with TS was treated at a specialist outpatient clinic using 12 1 hour sessions of ERP. Sessions were attended by the child and parents. Treatment followed a standard-protocol specifically designed for children (Verdellen, Van De Griendt, Kriens, & van Oostrum, 2011). Primary outcome was tic severity assessed with the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) (Leckman et al ., 1989). Secondary outcomes included Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (Peds-QL TM ), parent strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) and goal-based outcome measures (GBO). Results and conclusions: After 12 sessions, frequency of tics was reduced and quality of life improved. There was a clinically significant change in the YGTSS and clinician-rated CGAS. There was also an improvement in all parent and child-rated PEDS-QL dimensions, in parents and child GBOs and a reduction (fewer symptoms) in parent-rated SDQ. Improvement was maintained at 2 months follow-up. It is feasible and potentially effective to use ERP for tics in children as young as 6 years old. Parents support may play an important role in treatment success.