(PS9-54) Primary Outcomes of TicHelper, An Online Intervention Designed for Children with Tic Disorders

Abstract Text: Tic disorders are characterized by the chronic presence of rapid and repetitive involuntary movements or vocalizations. 1 in 100 children are estimated to have a tic disorder (i.e., Tourette Syndrome, chronic motor or vocal tic disorder, or provisional tic disorder). Comprehensive-Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) is an evidence-based behavioral intervention shown to be efficacious in clinical trials for reducing overall tic severity in both children and adults. Children with tic disorders often struggle to access treatment due to a lack of trained CBIT providers. This is especially true for families who live in rural or underserved communities. TicHelper was created to combat this barrier to treatment. TicHelper is a self-guided, online program based on key CBIT principles that aims to teach tic-management skills to children and their caregivers. TicHelper has been available to the public since September 2017. This study will examine the outcomes of the program for those who signed up from September 2017 to December 2023. 4207 individuals have registered accounts. We plan to use a paired-samples t-test to compare variables measured before and after a user's completion of the program. Regression analyses will be run to compare outcome measures across sample demographic characteristics. These results will help inform us how effective this online, self guided program is for children with tic disorders, thus providing another easily accessible option for treatment for these individuals.