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Published on: January 20, 2012
Biofeedback treatment for Tourette syndrome: a preliminary randomized controlled trial
Yoko Nagai1, Andrea E Cavanna, Hugo D Critchley
1*Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Falmer Campus, Brighton, UK †Department of Neuropsychiatry, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health National Health Service Foundation Trust and University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK ‡Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK §St George's Hospital and Medical School, London, UK ∥Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience, University College London Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
Electrodermal biofeedback did not significantly reduce tics in Tourette syndrome patients compared to placebo. Further research is needed to determine optimal training schedules for this biobehavioral intervention.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Tourette syndrome (TS) often involves tics resistant to pharmacologic treatments.
- Electrodermal biofeedback (EDFB) is a noninvasive biobehavioral intervention for neuropsychiatric and neurologic conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of electrodermal biofeedback in reducing tics in patients with Tourette syndrome.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 21 patients diagnosed with Tourette syndrome.
- Participants received either active or sham electrodermal biofeedback training over 4 weeks (3 sessions/week).
Main Results:
- Both active and sham biofeedback groups showed significant reductions in tic frequency and improved well-being.
- No significant differences in tic reduction or well-being were observed between the active and sham biofeedback groups.
- Patients in the active-treatment group did not demonstrate a learned ability to reduce sympathetic electrodermal tone.
Conclusions:
- The studied electrodermal biofeedback protocol did not yield a clinical effect beyond placebo for tic reduction in Tourette syndrome.
- Session duration may have been a confounding factor, hindering sustained sympathetic tone reduction due to competing arousal responses from tics.
- Electrodermal biofeedback may still hold potential for managing Tourette syndrome tics, contingent upon identifying optimal training parameters.
