Activity in Tourette Syndrome

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Tics are brief repetitive movements or vocalizations. Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome (TS) is a disorder characterized by recurrent motor and vocal tics. Tourette syndrome and tic disorders affect up to 8% of children. Peak severity of tic disorders occurs between the ages of 8 to 12 years, therefore during childhood and adolescence the most significant impacts are felt. The quality of life of young people with tics is lower than their peers' and tic severity predicts lower quality of life. Studies have also shown negative social perception toward children with tics. Approximately 50% of patients with Tourette syndrome will have other diagnoses including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety and depression. Studies have shown improvements in ADHD with physical activity. ADHD and tic disorders are thought to involve the same areas of the brain; thus it is possible that tics might also improve with physical activity. However, no studies to date have examined this. The investigators predict that by implementing a motivational physical activity program, in conjunction with physical activity counseling, the investigators will be able to increase levels of physical activity in children with tics and Tourette syndrome, with a positive impact on tic severity.

Official Title
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Enhancing Physical Activity in Children With Tics and Tourette Syndrome: Impact on Tic Severity and Quality of Life

Conditions
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Tourette Syndrome, Persistent Tic Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Physical Activity Counselling


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Participants are between 8-16 years of age. Participants are required to have a diagnosis of either Tourette Syndrome or Persistent (Chronic) Motor of Vocal Tic Disorder as per the DSM V. Participants must be ambulatory. Participants and parents must understand English or French. Participants must be able and willing to complete the questionnaires. Participants cannot have any changes to their medication for tics, or any other psychotropic medications for 4 weeks prior to and for the entire duration of the study Exclusion Criteria: Participants who cannot ambulate independently. Participants who are not permitted to participate in physical education class at school. Participants or families who are not willing to be randomly assigned to a study group.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 8 Years
Maximum Age: 16 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Activity Counselling<br>Physical Activity Counselling weekly for 8 weeks | Behavioral: Physical Activity Counselling<br>* Physical Activity Counselling weekly for 8 weeks<br>|
| No Intervention: Standard Care<br>Standard care with no change in medications for 8 weeks | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Decrease in Yale Global Tic Severity Scale. |  | 8 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in The Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome Quality of Life Scale for children and adolescents |  | 8 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Tourette Syndrome, Persistent Tic Disorder, Physical Activity, Quality of Life