Recruiting

Mindfulness Intervention

Sponsor:

Johns Hopkins University

Code:

NCT06408662

Conditions

Tourette Syndrome

Tourette's Disorder

Chronic Motor Tic Disorder

Chronic Vocal Tic Disorder

Persistent Motor Tic Disorder

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

mindfulness-based intervention for tics (MBIT)

psychoeducation with relaxation and supportive therapy (PRST)

Study Details

Brief summary:

This research study is being done to compare a mindfulness-based intervention for tics (MBIT) to psychoeducation with relaxation and supportive therapy (PRST) for individuals with Tourette's syndrome or Persistent Tic Disorders (collectively TS). It is the investigator's hope that this information cam be used to improve current treatments for individuals with TS.

Conditions

Tourette Syndrome

Tourette's Disorder

Chronic Motor Tic Disorder

Chronic Vocal Tic Disorder

Persistent Motor Tic Disorder

Study ID

NCT06408662

Start date

May 23, 2024

Status verified date

May, 2026

Completion date

Dec, 2028

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Jun, 2028

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

1. be ≥18 years of age;
2. meet diagnostic criteria for a primary or co-primary diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome or a Persistent Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder on a structured clinical interview;
3. have moderate or greater tic severity as evidenced by a YGTSS Total Tic Score of >14 (when motor and vocal tics are present) or >10 (when only motor or vocal tics are present);
4. be medication free and/or on a stable dose of psychiatric medication 8 weeks prior to study participation;
5. be not engaged in psychotherapy for non-TS conditions and/or be on a stable course of therapy for 6 months prior to study participation
6. be fluent in English;
7. have access to a smart phone and/or tablet.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. a current diagnosis of substance use disorder, psychosis, mania or another condition that requires another form of care;
2. severe current suicidal/homicidal ideation and/or self-injury requiring medical intervention;
3. concurrent psychotherapy for TS;
4. prior extensive experience with mindfulness and/or meditation.

Study Design

Enrollment

150 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: mindfulness-based intervention for tics (MBIT)

This is an 8-week mindfulness-based group intervention delivered via telehealth. It consists of mindfulness and meditative practice, didactics, inquiry, discussion and weekly therapeutic exercises and assignments (i.e., homework).

active comparator: psychoeducation with relaxation and supportive therapy (PRST)

This is an 8-week educational and supportive therapy group intervention delivered via telehealth. It consists of psychoeducation, relaxation, discussion, and weekly therapeutic exercises and assignments (i.e., homework).

Interventions

mindfulness-based intervention for tics (MBIT)

Psychological intervention that focuses on cultivating awareness of urges to tic and developing a different relationship to those urges through meditation and other mindfulness practice

psychoeducation with relaxation and supportive therapy (PRST)

Psychological Intervention that focuses on learning more about tics, practicing a range of strategies for coping with tics (e.g., relaxation, effective communication), and discussing challenges commonly experienced by individuals with tics.

Primary outcome measure

  • Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) Total Tic Severity Score [ Time Frame: Screen, Baseline (Week 0), Mid-treatment (Week 5), Post-treatment (Week 9), 1-month follow-up (Week 13), 3-month follow-up (Week 22), and 6-month follow-up (Week 35) ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Locations

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Recruiting

Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21287

Contacts

Joseph F McGuire, PhD

443-300-8836mbit@jh.edu

Principal Investigator:

Joseph F. McGuire, PhD

More Information

Sponsor

Johns Hopkins University

Last update posted

May 11, 2026

Last verified

May, 2026

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Johns Hopkins University on 2026-05-11.