PSYC Tech, Ltd. — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase II: 104

Description

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant This Phase II SBIR proposes to expand upon our successful Phase I activities to finalize development and test the efficacy of an innovative computer based treatment delivery product for children with Chronic Tic Disorders CTD including Tourette Disorder and their families CTD represents a class of neuropsychiatric disorders occurring in of school aged children that can lead to significant impairments in physical social academic and interpersonal functioning and reduced quality of life Currently there is no cure for CTD however in large scale randomized controlled trials a non pharmacological treatment known as Comprehensive Behavioral Interventions for Tics CBIT was shown to reduce tics without the adverse side effects associated with pharmacotherapy A therapist guided empirically validated CBIT protocol is available however the vast majority of individuals who desire CBIT do not have access to therapists trained in the delivery of this intervention Given the need for non pharmacological treatment options for children with CTD a desire for such treatments by potential end users and the absence of practitioners adequately trained in the treatment there is a clear need for innovative modes of dissemination Following our recently completed and successful Phase I project the current proposal partners two of the primary developers of the CBIT intervention with PsycTech Ltd to finalized development and test a highly accessible and relatively inexpensive computerized self help version of CBIT Results from our Phase I project demonstrated that a prototype version of TICHELPER received high ratings from both professionals and end users children with CTD and their parents on indices of feasibility acceptability and usability Results from the Phase I pilot study also sho that TICHELPER was effective for reducing core CTD symptoms Phase I results strongly justify Phase II during which we will fully develop and test the efficacy of Tic Helper This Phase II proposal aims to use an iterative feedback process with end users to develop the remaining core components of the CBIT protocol i e relaxation training function based intervention and the fully developed habit reversal module to address core CTD symptoms into a self administered online format and to compare the efficacy of TICHELPER to an Internet Based Resources IBR condition in a randomized controlled trial PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE Chronic Tic Disorders CTD including Tourette Disorder occur in of school age children and often lead to significant psychosocial and physical impairment and diminished quality of life Medication management options exist but parents are often reluctant to utilize such treatments with children due to potential side effects Effective non pharmacological treatment options exist and are desired by parents but are often difficult to access due to a lack of trained providers and high upfront costs The current project proposes to develop a highly accessible and relatively inexpensive computerized self help version of a successful behavioral treatment for tics i e Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics CBIT Building off our successful Phase I project this Phase II proposal will complete the development of the andquot TICHELPERandquot program and test its efficacy in a randomized clinical trial