Exposure and Response Prevention for children and adolescents with Tourette syndrome delivered via web-based videoconference versus face-to-face.

Chronic tic disorders, such as Tourette Syndrome, are characterized by motor and vocal tics. Tics present a considerable burden for some patients, and therefore effective treatment is important. One evidence-based treatment option is a behavioral therapy called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Despite its effectiveness, access to ERP remains limited due to a lack of treatment sites. Web-based videoconferences can connect patients at home with a therapist located in the hospital, allowing for treatment delivery over a wide geographic area. The primary aim of this study was to compare the development of tics during and one year after ERP delivered respectively via web-based videoconferences and traditional face-to-face methods in a naturalistic setting. 116 patients treated using either the face-to-face method (n = 72) or web-based videoconferences (n = 44) were included. The primary outcome measure was tic severity. In both training modalities, tic severity decreased during ERP and the effect lasted in the follow-up period. No statistically significant differences in tic severity between the training modalities were found at baseline, last training session or at follow-up. Our results suggest that ERP delivered via web-based videoconferences is a good alternative to the traditional face-to-face method.