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An exploratory study into an adapted use of the Alert Program for tic disorder in children
Nicolette Soler1, Chris Hardwick2, Iain E Perkes3
1Senior Occupational Therapist, Department of Psychological Medicine, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, and; PhD student, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Insights
This study explored an adapted Alert Program using sensorimotor strategies for children with tic disorders. The intervention successfully reduced tic severity and impairment in most participants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Occupational Therapy
- Child Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Background:
- The Alert Program utilizes sensorimotor strategies for self-regulation in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
- This program had not previously been trialled with children experiencing tic disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the efficacy of an adapted Alert Program employing sensorimotor strategies for managing tic disorders in children.
- To assess the impact of this adapted program on tic severity and daily functioning.
Main Methods:
- Ten children diagnosed with tic disorder participated in the preliminary study.
- Participants received three 60-90 minute therapy sessions implementing the adapted Alert Program.
- Assessments included the Dunn Sensory Profile 2 (SP2), Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS), and Parent Tic Questionnaire (PTQ).
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in tic severity was observed across all participants, with Yale Global Tic Severity Scale scores improving from a mean of 46.5 to 17.7.
- Five participants reported no tic-related impairment post-intervention.
- Nine participants showed reduced scores on the Parent Tic Questionnaire, indicating decreased tic impact.
Conclusions:
- An adapted, sensorimotor-based Alert Program demonstrated effectiveness in decreasing tic severity among children with tic disorders.
- Further research via a randomized controlled trial is recommended to confirm the effectiveness and feasibility of this therapeutic approach.
Objectives:
This preliminary study explored whether an adapted approach to the Alert Program, that uses sensorimotor strategies, might assist with management of tic disorders in children. The Alert Program, a program that uses sensorimotor strategies for self-regulation in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, had not been trialled with children with tic disorders.
Methods:
Ten children with tic disorder were assessed using the Dunn Sensory Profile 2 (SP2), the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) and the Parent Tic Questionnaire (PTQ). Participants attended three 60-90-minute appointments with an occupational therapist and clinical psychologist for implementation of the adapted Alert Program.
Results:
The YGTSS showed tic reduction in all participants. The total YGTSS pre-intervention mean score of 46.5 improved to 17.7 post-therapy. Five participants reported no impairment post-therapy. PTQ scores reduced in nine participants. On the SP2, 30% of participants scored as having sensory sensitivities that impaired daily function.
Conclusions:
This exploratory study found trialling an adapted approach to the Alert Program that uses sensorimotor-based approach decreased tic severity in children with tic disorders. A randomised controlled trial is needed to establish the effectiveness and feasibility of this approach.
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