Can online therapy help children with tics?

If your child has been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome or a tic disorder, you may have already discovered that finding the right help isn't always easy. Families in regional areas, or those without a specialist nearby, often face long drives and long waits — or simply go without. So, it's natural to wonder whether therapy delivered over a video health could work just as well as seeing someone face to face.

A research study directly addressed the question of whether online therapy can help children with tics. The study compared online therapy with the standard face-to-face therapy. Here is what the research found about treatment delivered over a video health platform.

What the research looked at

Twenty children aged 8 to 17 with Tourette Syndrome or a chronic tic disorder were randomly split into two groups: one group received Comprehensive Behavioural Intervention for Tics (CBIT) in person with a therapist, and the other received the exact same therapy over video call. Both groups completed eight sessions, and an independent evaluator (who didn't know which group each child was in), measured tic severity before, during, and after treatment.

The researchers weren't trying to determine whether online therapy was better, but rather, they wanted to ensure that it was no worse than the face-to-face version.

What it found

Most importantly, they found that therapy delivered via video health was just as helpful as face-to-face therapy at the end of treatment. In both groups, the gains children made during therapy were maintained when the researchers checked in with them four months after therapy had concluded. Around 80% of children in the online group and 75% of children in the face-to-face group showed a positive response to treatment. Children and parents in both groups reported high levels of satisfaction with the therapy they received.

The authors were clear about one limitation: the number of families involved in the study was quite small. There were only 20 children taking part. That means we should be cautious about drawing definite conclusions from this single trial alone. Nonetheless, this is a promising sign that online delivery can work. This is good news for families who might otherwise go without.

What does this mean for your family?

For families who experience barriers to accessing a specialist clinic, the evidence suggests that online CBIT is an option worth exploring.

At The Moore Centre, treatment is available in person or via telehealth or video health, so where you live does not have to decide whether your child gets access to support. If your child's tics are affecting their daily life, get in touch and we will talk you through the options.

Reference

Himle, M. B., Freitag, M., Walther, M., Franklin, S. A., Ely, L., & Woods, D. W. (2012). A randomized pilot trial comparing videoconference versus face-to-face delivery of behavior therapy for childhood TIC disorders. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 50(9), 565–570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2012.05.009