Tourette Syndrome (TS)

  • Barriers to improving access to therapy treatment for tics in the UK

    The European clinical guidelines for Tourette Syndrome suggest that behavioural therapies (BT) are ‘first line treatments for tics for both children and adults’. However, according to Dr Tara Murphy and Dr Seonaid Anderson and colleagues, a barrier to delivering this in the UK is a lack of access to specialised psychologists and therapists.

    Read more

  • Access to evidence-based behavioural interventions needs improving for children affected by Tics

    In 2016, Chris Hollis and colleagues compiled a Practitioner Review for the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry evaluating the most effective and well-supported interventions for children and young people affected by Tourette syndrome and chronic tic disorder. Here, they discuss the key findings from their systematic review, and highlight that children and young people affected by tics require improved access to evidence-based behavioural interventions.

    Read more

  • Can physical exercise improve tics and associated mental health difficulties in Tourette syndrome? The jury is out

    Physical exercise is increasingly being recommended as part of management for children and young people with mental health problems. There is a growing evidence base that shows physical exercise is associated with improvements in functioning for conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), although studies are small, they are signifcant. 

    Read more

  • Teaching about Tics

    A psychoeducational intervention, in the form of a classroom presentation, can enhance the knowledge and attitudes of peers towards their classmates with Tourette syndrome (TS), according to research by Claire Nussey and colleagues.

    Read more