Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 16, 2025
Generating Acute and Chronic Experimental Models of Motor Tic Expression in Rats
Published on: May 27, 2021
Environmental moderators of tic severity and quality of life in children with tic disorders
Mengjiao Wang1,2, Zhongliang Jiang1,2, Jingyi Li1,2
1Department of Psychiatry, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China.
Insights
Environmental factors like physical activity and parent-child reading can improve the quality of life for children with tic disorders (TD). These factors help manage tic severity and enhance overall well-being in children with TD.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Pediatric neurology
- Environmental influences on health
Background:
- Tic disorders (TD) are common neurodevelopmental conditions impacting children's quality of life.
- Environmental factors are increasingly recognized for their role in TD development and expression.
- Previous research identified physical activity, academic achievement, and peer relationships as relevant, but parent-child reading was less explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of physical activity, academic achievement, peer relationships, and parent-child reading on tic severity and quality of life in children with TD.
- To explore how these environmental factors moderate the relationship between tic severity and quality of life.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 66 children with TD and 72 healthy controls from Beijing Children's Hospital.
- Assessment of tic severity (Yale Global Tic Severity Scale) and quality of life (Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome-Quality of Life Scale).
- Evaluation of environmental factors via self-administered questionnaires, utilizing chi-squared tests, regression, and moderation analyses.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in physical activity, academic achievement, peer relationships, and parent-child reading were found between TD and control groups.
- Academic achievement and peer relationships were associated with TD onset.
- All four investigated environmental factors significantly moderated the relationship between tic severity and quality of life.
Conclusions:
- Environmental factors play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of TD on children's well-being.
- Interventions focusing on physical activity, academic success, peer relations, and parent-child reading can enhance quality of life.
- These interventions should be integrated into comprehensive treatment strategies for children with TD.
Abstract:
Tic disorders (TD) are common neurodevelopmental disorders that can significantly impact on patients' quality of life. Growing evidence suggests that environmental factors play an important role in the development of children with TD. This study aims to investigate the effect of physical activity, academic achievement, peer relationships, and parent-child reading on the severity of tics and quality of life in children with TD. A total of 66 children with TD and 72 healthy controls were employed from Beijing Children's Hospital. Tic severity and quality of life were assessed using the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale and the Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome-Quality of Life Scale, respectively. Environmental factors were evaluated through a self-administered questionnaire. Chi-squared tests and regression analyses were used to assess group differences and correlations. Moderation models were then applied to explore the influence of environmental factors on the relationship between tic severity and quality of life. Significant differences were observed in physical activity, academic achievement, peer relationships, and parent-child reading between the TD and control groups. Of these, academic achievement and peer relationships emerged as important associated factors of TD onset. Furthermore, all four environmental factors were found to significantly moderate the relationship between tic severity and quality of life.
Conclusions:
This study highlights the importance of environmental factors in mitigating the impact of TD on children's well-being. Interventions incorporating physical activity, academic achievement, peer relationships and parent-child reading may improve quality of life, and should be integrated into comprehensive treatment strategies.
What Is Known:
• Environmental factors including physical activity, academic achievement, peer relationships and family-related factors play an important role in tic expression and the overall well-being of children diagnosed with TD.
What Is New:
• (1) The present study identified an unrecognised family-related factor: parent-child reading. This was found to have a positive moderating effect on the relationship between tic severity and quality of life. (2) The present study confirmed the significance of academic achievement and peer relationships in tic occurrence, and ascertained that physical activity, academic achievement and peer relationships moderate the relationship between tic severity and quality of life.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:26Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
01:30Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and...
01:30Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
01:29Environmental Influences on Intelligence