Randomized trial of parent management training in children with tic disorders and disruptive behavior

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Behavioral Therapy

Background:

• Oppositional, defiant, and disruptive behaviors frequently co-occur in children with tic disorders.
• These behavioral issues can significantly impact a child's functioning and quality of life.
• Effective interventions are needed to address these comorbid challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of a structured parent management training (PMT) program.
• To assess PMT's impact on disruptive behaviors in children diagnosed with tic disorders.
• To compare PMT against treatment as usual (TAU) for these behavioral issues.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial design was employed.
• Children (ages 6-12) with tic disorders and disruptive behaviors were assigned to either a 10-session PMT program or TAU.
• Behavioral outcomes were measured using parent-rated scales and a masked clinical rater.

Main Results:

• The PMT group showed a 51% decrease in disruptive behavior scores, compared to 19% in the TAU group (P < .05).
• A significantly higher proportion of children in the PMT group were rated as much or very much improved globally (7/11 vs. 2/12, P < .05).
• The majority of participants (83%) were on stable medication at baseline.

Conclusions:

• Structured parent management training demonstrates short-term efficacy in reducing disruptive behaviors in children with tic disorders.
• PMT appears to be a beneficial addition to the treatment of children experiencing both tic and disruptive behavior problems.
• Further research with larger randomized clinical trials is warranted to confirm these findings.