Anger Control Training for Youth With Tourette Syndrome
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
This is a clinical study of a cognitive-behavioral therapy known as anger control training in adolescents with Tourette Syndrome and explosive, disruptive behavior. ACT is compared to treatment as usual (TAU) in a randomized clinical trial.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Detailed Description
This is a randomized controlled study of a cognitive-behavioral, anger control training (ACT) in adolescents with Tourette Syndrome (TS) complicated by disruptive behavior. Disruptive behaviors in TS may take numerous forms including noncompliance, anger outbursts, and physical aggression. Anger outbursts in TS have been described as rage attacks or rage storms due to their high intensity and unpredictability in response to minimal provocation. Whether these behaviors are part of TS, related to comorbid conditions, or due to the burden of chronic illness is not clear. Nevertheless, these disruptive behaviors can result in significant functional impairment and often require clinical attention. The purpose of the ACT intervention is to improve the explosive and noncompliant behavior in adolescents with TS by enhancing affect regulation and social problem-solving skills. The treatment is based on anger control training which has been empirically supported for reducing aggressive behaviors and improving social functioning in aggressive youths. The primary outcome measures include the parent-rated Oppositional Defiant Scale and the Clinicians Global Improvement Score assessed by a clinician blind to treatment assignment.
Study Design
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- CGI-I assigned by clinician unaware of treatment assignment [three months]
- Parent rated disruptive behavior [three months]
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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Boys and girls, 11 to 16 years of age.
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Diagnosis of Tourette syndrome (TS) or chronic tic disorder (CTD).
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Significant level of disruptive behavior
Exclusion Criteria:
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Current diagnosis of Severe Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, or Psychotic Disorder.
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Significant medical condition such as heart disease, hypertension, liver or renal failure, pulmonary disease, seizure disorder that may require more pressing treatment.
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Initiation or discontinuation of a psychotropic medication treatment within six weeks of enrollment in the study
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yale University School of Medicine, Child Study Center | New Haven | Connecticut | United States | 06520 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Yale University
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Tourette Association of America
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Denis G Sukhodolsky, Ph.D., Yale University
- Principal Investigator: Lawrence D Scahill, Ph.D., Yale University
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Additional Information:
Publications
- Scahill L, Erenberg G, Berlin CM Jr, Budman C, Coffey BJ, Jankovic J, Kiessling L, King RA, Kurlan R, Lang A, Mink J, Murphy T, Zinner S, Walkup J; Tourette Syndrome Association Medical Advisory Board: Practice Committee. Contemporary assessment and pharmacotherapy of Tourette syndrome. NeuroRx. 2006 Apr;3(2):192-206. Review.
- Sukhodolsky DG, do Rosario-Campos MC, Scahill L, Katsovich L, Pauls DL, Peterson BS, King RA, Lombroso PJ, Findley DB, Leckman JF. Adaptive, emotional, and family functioning of children with obsessive-compulsive disorder and comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 2005 Jun;162(6):1125-32.
- Sukhodolsky DG, Scahill L, Zhang H, Peterson BS, King RA, Lombroso PJ, Katsovich L, Findley D, Leckman JF. Disruptive behavior in children with Tourette's syndrome: association with ADHD comorbidity, tic severity, and functional impairment. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2003 Jan;42(1):98-105.
- 0102012121
- 1R03MH067845