Behavior therapy matches drugs for calming tics ~ JAMA

[mzmolly]

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Special behavior therapy can help reduce tics in children and teens with Tourette syndrome about as well as medications typically given for the neurological disorder, according to new research published in JAMA/Journal of the American Medical Association.

This finding was "pretty exciting to us," Dr. John Piacentini of the University of California at Los Angeles, who was involved in the research, told Reuters Health. "One of the benefits of the behavior treatment is it was also associated with no side effects," he explained.

This is in contrast to the medications for Tourette syndrome, which, at times, can have "serious" side effects, the researcher noted. Medications used to treat Tourette syndrome include drugs typically used to treat psychotic adults, such as risperidone (Risperidol) and haloperidol (Haldol); their adverse effects can include sedation, weight gain, and movement problems.

People with Tourette syndrome may have physical tics, vocal tics, or both. Typically, Piacentini explained, a person will feel an unpleasant sensation they can relieve by performing the tic. This reinforces the tic, which eventually becomes virtually automatic.

The new behavior therapy, developed by Piacentini and his team and based on decades-old strategies for behavior modification, involves helping a person recognize when they are feeling the urge to tic, and training them to perform a voluntary movement instead.

MORE AT http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64H3P220100518">REUTERS

[HuckleB]

1. K & R.

Looks like this is therapy developed from an understanding of brain plasticity. It seems to be derived from Jeffrey Schwartz's work with OCD and anxiety treatments at UCLA.

[mzmolly]

2. Thanks.

Agreed. It does seem very similar to Schwartz's work with OCD. Very encouraging to consider brain plasticity as it relates to this particular therapy. :hi: