An evaluation of behavioral treatments for Tourette syndrome

The present study evaluated the effectiveness of self-monitoring, relaxation training and habit reversal in the treatment of 6 Tourette Syndrome (TS) subjects with multiple motor and vocal tics. A counterbalanced design was employed and tic frequencies were measured in the clinic setting using videotapes taken through a one-way mirror. Tics were reduced by an average of 55% with habit reversal, 44% with self-monitoring, and 32% with relaxation training and each behavioral procedure was the most effective treatment for at least one subject. All three treatment approaches may have some utility in the behavioral treatment of TS.