An Online Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Tic Disorders: Effect on Comorbid Symptoms

Mindfulness-based approaches show promise for reducing tic severity, yet little is known about their effect on comorbid symptoms.

The objective was to evaluate secondary outcomes from a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing mindfulness-based intervention for tics (MBIT) with psychoeducation, relaxation, and supportive therapy (PRST).

Twenty-eight adults with Tourette's syndrome or persistent tic disorder were randomized to MBIT or PRST and completed measures of obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, depression, anxiety, stress, and functional impairment at baseline, posttreatment, 1-month, and 6-month follow-up.

A significant group-by-time interaction emerged for OC symptoms, indicating a significantly greater reduction in OC symptoms in MBIT compared to PRST at posttreatment. No significant group-by-time interactions emerged for the remaining outcomes at posttreatment. Outcomes at 1- and 6-month follow-ups are reported descriptively.

MBIT, relative to PRST, led to significantly greater reductions in OC symptoms. Larger clinical trials are necessary to test these initial findings.