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CompletedNCT05269953NeSTSUpdated Jun 30, 2026Results posted

Median Nerve Stimulation for Tourette Syndrome and Chronic Tic Disorder

An interventional study of Active stimulation and Sham stimulation in Tourette Syndrome and Chronic Tic Disorder, sponsored by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. Completed at 1 site in United Kingdom. Open to participants aged 12 Years to 90 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-30.

Sponsored by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
135
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
12 Years to 90 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Tourette syndrome (TS) and chronic tic disorder (CTD) are neurodevelopmental disorders that impact approximately 1% of 5-18 year olds worldwide. Both TS and CTD are characterised by the presence of tics, which are repetitive, purposeless, movements or vocalisations of short duration which can occur many times throughout a day. Tics can have a significant negative impact on daily functioning and quality of life, hence, many seek out approaches to manage and reduce their tics and the urges people with TS or CTD often feel preceding them. The two main evidence-based approaches to treating tics are behavioural therapies and medication; both of which can be effective, but accessibility and waitlists are often an issue for behavioural therapies and side effects are common with medication use. Consequently, there is an urgent need for the development of alternative, safe and accessible treatments.

This study aims to examine the effects of rhythmic pulses of electrical stimulation delivered to the wrist in treating tics in people with TS and CTD. In recent work, the investigators have shown that this type of electrical stimulation known as median nerve stimulation (MNS), can substantially reduce tics and related urges during stimulation. The investigators now want to extend this work to examine the effects of the stimulation on a higher number of people, compared to placebo and treatment as usual. The investigators will do this through assessment of symptom change using questionnaires, interviews and videos collection during four weeks of stimulation and two time points afterwards.

The investigators have developed a new MNS device for this trial which is portable and easy to use. The primary hypothesis is that active rhythmic MNS will lead to a reduction in tic severity compared to a placebo condition. The secondary hypothesis is that MNS will also have a positive beneficial effect on urges, impairment, well-being and co-occurring Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms compared to both sham stimulation and no stimulation.

Read the detailed description

The symptoms of Tourette Syndrome (TS) (tics and premonitory urges) can be treated using behavioural therapies and/or medications, however access, availability, side effects and treatment resistance are factors which many people with TS and their family's express frustration with. Therefore, it is in the interest of patients and the wider medical community that alternative treatments are tested and scientifically validated. In recent work, the investigators have found that low intensity electrical stimulation delivered to the wrist can be effective in significantly reducing tics and tic related premonitory urges. In the study the investigators want to expand this work to examine the effects of the stimulation on a higher number of people, compared to placebo and treatment as usual and to examine the suitability of a wearable device for delivering stimulation from home.

The investigators will conduct a parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a wearable, wrist-worn, therapeutic device for the suppression of premonitory urge and the reduction of tics in individuals with TS. In order to validate the device as a genuine and effective form of therapy, it is essential that a placebo branch of the study is completed. Participants will be made aware of the three different experimental arms ahead of enrolment and will be debriefed following completion of the trial. The investigators are committed to clearly explaining why a placebo condition is essential, while minimising the amount of information the investigators withhold from participants, hence the investigators feel it is important to be able to let participants know the condition participants were in at the end of the trial.

The device the investigators are aiming to trial will be programmed to deliver low-intensity (1-19 mA) rhythmic (10Hz) trains of electrical stimulation to the median nerve for 14 minutes, and will be used by each participant from home once each day, 5 days each week, for a period of 4 weeks. Participants assigned to the active condition will experience rhythmic (10Hz) trains of stimulation set to an individual intensity which the investigators have found to be effective in the investigators' previous work (-120% of intensity needed to generate a visible muscle twitch in the thenar muscle). Those assigned to the placebo group will receive stimulation at a subthreshold rate (50% intensity needed to generate thenar muscle twitch). The investigators' previous work suggests that this serves as a sufficient control condition. Those in the waitlist group would receive treatment as normal, prior to an open label phase of receiving active stimulation.

A total of 135 participants (45 per group) will be allocated to one of the three groups; active stimulation; sham stimulation; or waitlist (i.e., treatment as usual). In order to minimise the difference in age, gender and symptom severity between groups, the investigators will perform a stratified randomisation for age, gender and severity (using Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) Total Tic Severity Score) to allocate individuals to each group.

The effects of the stimulation will be assessed using several semi-structured interviews, questionnaire measures and video recordings of participant's tics. The investigators will also use questionnaire measures/ interviews to measure baseline characteristics of the participants, as these factors may influence response to the investigators proposed intervention. The majority of this trial will be remotely supervised and therefor the majority of these measures will also be taken through video call and online questionnaire measures with the exception of an initial visit to the University of Nottingham.

The primary hypothesis is that active MNS will lead to a reduction in tic severity compared to subthreshold placebo stimulation. The procedure for testing this will be as follows:

  1. Participants who have expressed an interest in the study will be given a detailed participant information sheet. Participants will be given the opportunity to ask questions about the study. If participants wish to proceed and to have an initial telephone screening to assess eligibility participants will then be asked to complete an initial consent form which will asked for their consent to take part in the screening and for the research team to keep a record of their answers during that process.
  2. Consenting participants will then be contacted by a member of the research team at an agreed time via telephone/video call. This call should last no longer than an hour. This will be used to give participants further insights into the trial and to establish trial eligibility. Trial eligibility will be assessed according to the investigators' predefined inclusion/ exclusion criteria. The YGTSS, semi structured interview will also be conducted by a trained member of the research team to establish If the potential participant has enough tics to be eligible for the trial.
  3. After completing the telephone screening, eligible participants will be sent a further electronic consent form to take part in the rest of the trial. After obtaining consent, participants will be allocated into a trial arm and a date will be set for them to visit Nottingham. In the case of the wait list group participants will not visit Nottingham until participants have entered into the open label active phase of the trial.
  4. During the baseline visit to the University of Nottingham, participants will receive the stimulation device and will be trained in its correct placement and use. In order to ensure participant's comfort with the stimulation, a practice session will be performed. If the participant experiences significant discomfort, participants will be withdrawn from the trial. On the same day, demographic information along with primary and secondary measures will be collected using various questionnaires and structured interviews. Participants in the waitlist group will also complete these measurements online and through video call.
  5. Participants in the active and placebo groups will return home with the device and be instructed to commence stimulation sessions on the following Monday. Participants will be asked to use the device once each day, 5 days each week, for a period of 4 weeks. During the stimulation period participants will be asked to complete a few short questions each day which should take 1-2 minutes. Participants will also be contacted by a member of the research team at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 of stimulation and 3 and 6 months after completing stimulation. During these meetings through video call lasting approximately 1 hour various semi-structured interviews and questionnaires will be administered to assess changes in symptoms. A subset of participants will also be asked to record videos of themselves 5 minutes before the stimulation, during the stimulation and 5minutes after the stimulation and to upload these to a secure online platform. These will be used by the research team to objectively count changes in tics.

The investigators estimate that the trial will take 9 months to collect all data sets, including the 6 month follow up period. Visits to Nottingham will take place during the first 3 months of the trial.

02

Conditions studied

  • Tourette Syndrome
  • Chronic Tic Disorder

Keywords

  • Tourette Syndrome
  • Median nerve stimulation
  • Chronic Tic Disorder
03

In context

Tourette Syndrome

240 studies on the registry are indexed under Tourette Syndrome; 40 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 135 is above the median of 36 across 183 interventional studies indexed under Tourette Syndrome.

Browse Tourette Syndrome studies →

Lead sponsor

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is the lead sponsor of 107 studies on the registry; 19 are open to participants now.

Browse Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust studies →

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
12 Years to 90 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 12 years or older. Must also be able to give (along with parents/guardians).
  • Confirmed or suspected diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome or Chronic Tic Disorder with a moderate amount of tics (to be assessed during an initial screening interview).
  • Stable treatment regime/no treatment for the past 2 months (i.e. if taking medication same drug \& dosage).
  • Internet access \& access to electronic device to complete online questionnaires and video calls.
  • Participants must be able to travel to Nottingham for one visit and have reliable access to the internet.
  • Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the clinical investigation.
  • Able (in the Investigators opinion) and willing to comply with all clinical investigation requirements
  • Resident in the UK

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Current diagnosis of epilepsy.
  • Participant or participants guardian (if under 16) unable to read/write in English.
  • Participants will be excluded from the trial if they find the stimulation too uncomfortable during a practice session at the in person baseline visit.
  • Individuals with implanted electronic devices (e.g. pacemakers, insulin pump, implantable cardioverter defibrillator, neurostimulators).
  • Individuals sharing the household with an individual with implanted electronic devices (e.g. pacemakers, insulin pump, implantable cardioverter defibrillator, neurostimulators).
  • Individuals with current/ recent diagnosis or symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 will not be invited to visit the university until it is safe for them to do so (2 weeks following positive test).
  • Individuals with a diagnosis of non-verbal autism or similar condition which would affect ability to give to take part in the study will not be recruited.
  • Pregnant women will not be recruited for this study.
  • Participants who have participated in previous research studies involving median nerve stimulation
  • Participants aged over 90 years old
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(1)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.

05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Quadruple (Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
135 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Active stimulation

    Device: Active stimulation

  • Sham comparator
    Sham stimulation

    Device: Sham stimulation

  • No intervention
    Waitlist (no stimulation)

    Treatment as usual.

Interventions

  • DeviceActive stimulation

    Participants assigned to the active stimulation arm will receive rhythmic MNS 2 minutes on and 1 minute off for 15 minutes. The strength of the stimulation will be set to 120% the intensity needed to produce a visible contraction within the thenar muscle.

  • DeviceSham stimulation

    Participants assigned to the sham stimulation arm will receive rhythmic MNS 2 minutes on and 1 minute off for 15 minutes. The strength of the stimulation will be set to 50% the intensity needed to produce a visible contraction within the thenar muscle.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Yale Global Tic Severity Scale - Revised (YGTSS-R) Total Tic Severity Score

    The primary outcome measure were the scores from our core measures of tic severity (using scores from YGTSS-R). The YGTSS-R total tic severity score ranges from 0-50, where higher scores indicate a worse outcome. These were used to assess any change in tic severity symptoms between groups and over the initial 4 week stimulation period. YGTSS-R is recognised as the gold standard measure for evaluating tic severity in Tourette syndrome.

    Time frame: Baseline and week 4 after starting stimulation

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Tic Frequency as Quantified by Analysis of Video Data

    This outcome measure explored the changes in tic frequency occurring during stimulation and 5-min period immediately prior to stimulation, through the use of video data in a subgroup of participants. Video data analyses are based on 82 video sessions from 16 participants receiving active stimulation and 91 video sessions from 17 participants receiving sham stimulation. For each session, the change in tic frequency was calculated by subtracting tics per minute (TPM) in the period during stimulation with TPM measured during the 5-min period immediately prior to stimulation.

    Time frame: Pre-stimulation period and During stimulation period

  2. Change in Premonitory Urge (as Measured by Premonitory Urge for Tics Scale-Revised (PUTS-R))

    This outcome measure will evaluate the treatment effects of MNS on the frequency of the urge to tic by looking at change in scores from the PUTS-R. The PUTS-R is a 24 item self-report instrument which is specifically designed to measure the current frequency of different types of premonitory urges in patients with tic disorders. The PUTS-R scores range from 0-32, where higher scores indicate worse outcome.

    Time frame: Baseline and week 4 after starting stimulation

  3. Change in Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) (as Measured by (Children's) Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (C)Y-BOCS)

    This outcome measure will evaluate the treatment effects of MNS on OCD symptoms by looking at change in scores from the (C)Y-BOCS. The age-appropriate version of this semi-structured interview was used to assess symptoms of OCD. The first part of the scale involves assessing what potential obsessions/compulsions an individual has experienced over the course of the past week, followed by assessment of the time spent, interference and distress caused by, ability to resist and control over obsessions compulsions. The (C)Y-BOCS scores range from 0-40, where higher scores indicate worse outcome.

    Time frame: Baseline and week 4 after starting stimulation

Other outcomes

  1. Change in Quality of Life (as Measured by Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome - Quality of Life Scale (GTS-QoL))

    This outcome measure will evaluate the treatment effects of MNS on well-being by looking at change in scores from the GTS-QoL. The GTS-QoL scores range from 0-100, where higher scores indicate worse outcome. This questionnaire includes a visual analog scale ranging 0-100 assessing how satisfied the person feels in their life, higher scores indicating a better outcome.

    Time frame: Baseline and week 4 after starting stimulation

07

Results

Posted Jun 30, 2026

Participant flow

Recruited participants were individuals who contacted us directly expressing an interest in taking part in this research following media coverage about this and following the advertisement of the clinical trial on social media by the UK charity Tourette's Action.

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneActive StimulationSham StimulationWaitlist (no Stimulation)
Started444445
Completed 4 week assessments403941
Completed353541
Not completed994
Withdrew: Lost to follow-up540
Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject314
Withdrew: Adverse event100
Withdrew: Technical difficulties with device020
Withdrew: Not committed to the trial020

Outcome measures

PrimaryChange in Yale Global Tic Severity Scale - Revised (YGTSS-R) Total Tic Severity Score

The primary outcome measure were the scores from our core measures of tic severity (using scores from YGTSS-R). The YGTSS-R total tic severity score ranges from 0-50, where higher scores indicate a worse outcome. These were used to assess any change in tic severity symptoms between groups and over the initial 4 week stimulation period. YGTSS-R is recognised as the gold standard measure for evaluating tic severity in Tourette syndrome.

Time frame:
Baseline and week 4 after starting stimulation
Reported as:
Mean · Score on a scale
Change in Yale Global Tic Severity Scale - Revised (YGTSS-R) Total Tic Severity Score
Score on a scaleActive StimulationSham StimulationWaitlist
Change in Yale Global Tic Severity Scale - Revised (YGTSS-R) Total Tic Severity Score-7.13 ± 1.1-2.13 ± 0.32-2.26 ± 0.34
Statistical analysis
  • Active Stimulation vs Sham Stimulation · non-parametric permutation testing · p = <0.02 (A priori threshold for statistical significance was a p-value of 0.05.) · Mean difference (final values): 5
SecondaryChange in Tic Frequency as Quantified by Analysis of Video Data

This outcome measure explored the changes in tic frequency occurring during stimulation and 5-min period immediately prior to stimulation, through the use of video data in a subgroup of participants. Video data analyses are based on 82 video sessions from 16 participants receiving active stimulation and 91 video sessions from 17 participants receiving sham stimulation. For each session, the change in tic frequency was calculated by subtracting tics per minute (TPM) in the period during stimulation with TPM measured during the 5-min period immediately prior to stimulation.

Time frame:
Pre-stimulation period and During stimulation period
Reported as:
Mean · Tics per minute
Change in Tic Frequency as Quantified by Analysis of Video Data
Tics per minuteActive StimulationSham StimulationWaitlist
Change in Tic Frequency as Quantified by Analysis of Video Data-15.6 ± 36.6-7.7 ± 17.3—
Statistical analysis
  • Active Stimulation vs Sham Stimulation · non-parametric permutation test · p = <0.03 (A priori threshold for statistical significance was a p-value of 0.05.)
SecondaryChange in Premonitory Urge (as Measured by Premonitory Urge for Tics Scale-Revised (PUTS-R))

This outcome measure will evaluate the treatment effects of MNS on the frequency of the urge to tic by looking at change in scores from the PUTS-R. The PUTS-R is a 24 item self-report instrument which is specifically designed to measure the current frequency of different types of premonitory urges in patients with tic disorders. The PUTS-R scores range from 0-32, where higher scores indicate worse outcome.

Time frame:
Baseline and week 4 after starting stimulation
Reported as:
Mean · Score on a scale
Change in Premonitory Urge (as Measured by Premonitory Urge for Tics Scale-Revised (PUTS-R))
Score on a scaleActive StimulationSham StimulationWaitlist
Change in Premonitory Urge (as Measured by Premonitory Urge for Tics Scale-Revised (PUTS-R))-22.2 ± 37.0-16.1 ± 24.2-9.3 ± 25.9
Statistical analysis
  • Active Stimulation · t-test, 2 sided · p = < 0.0001 (A priori threshold for statistical significance was a p-value of 0.05)
  • Sham Stimulation · t-test, 2 sided · p = < 0.0001 (A priori threshold for statistical significance was a p-value of 0.05)
  • Waitlist · t-test, 2 sided · p = < 0.04 (A priori threshold for statistical significance was a p-value of 0.05)
SecondaryChange in Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) (as Measured by (Children's) Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (C)Y-BOCS)

This outcome measure will evaluate the treatment effects of MNS on OCD symptoms by looking at change in scores from the (C)Y-BOCS. The age-appropriate version of this semi-structured interview was used to assess symptoms of OCD. The first part of the scale involves assessing what potential obsessions/compulsions an individual has experienced over the course of the past week, followed by assessment of the time spent, interference and distress caused by, ability to resist and control over obsessions compulsions. The (C)Y-BOCS scores range from 0-40, where higher scores indicate worse outcome.

Time frame:
Baseline and week 4 after starting stimulation
Reported as:
Mean · Score on a scale
Change in Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) (as Measured by (Children's) Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (C)Y-BOCS)
Score on a scaleActive StimulationSham StimulationWaitlist
Change in Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) (as Measured by (Children's) Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (C)Y-BOCS)-24.9 ± 38.4-35.5 ± 41.2-18.9 ± 45.5
Statistical analysis
  • Active Stimulation · t-test, 2 sided · p = <0.004 (A priori threshold for statistical significance was a p-value of 0.05)
  • Sham Stimulation · t-test, 2 sided · p = <0.002 (A priori threshold for statistical significance was a p-value of 0.05)
  • Waitlist · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.06 (A priori threshold for statistical significance was a p-value of 0.05)
Other pre-specifiedChange in Quality of Life (as Measured by Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome - Quality of Life Scale (GTS-QoL))

This outcome measure will evaluate the treatment effects of MNS on well-being by looking at change in scores from the GTS-QoL. The GTS-QoL scores range from 0-100, where higher scores indicate worse outcome. This questionnaire includes a visual analog scale ranging 0-100 assessing how satisfied the person feels in their life, higher scores indicating a better outcome.

Time frame:
Baseline and week 4 after starting stimulation
Reported as:
Mean · Score on a scale
Change in Quality of Life (as Measured by Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome - Quality of Life Scale (GTS-QoL))
Score on a scaleActive StimulationSham StimulationWaitlist
Change in Quality of Life (as Measured by Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome - Quality of Life Scale (GTS-QoL))-6.7 ± 19.3-8.4 ± 12.5-2.8 ± 10.7
Statistical analysis
  • Active Stimulation · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.04 (A priori threshold for statistical significance was a p-value of 0.05.)
  • Sham Stimulation · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.0005 (A priori threshold for statistical significance was a p-value of 0.05.)
  • Waitlist · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.13 (A priori threshold for statistical significance was a p-value of 0.05.)

Adverse events

Collected over Adverse event data were collected from each participant from the date the participant was enrolled in the study until their withdrawal or the conclusion of their 6-month follow-up.. Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Active Stimulation0/44 (0%)0/44 (0%)8/44 (18.2%)
Sham Stimulation0/44 (0%)0/44 (0%)4/44 (9.1%)
Waitlist (no Stimulation)0/45 (0%)1/45 (2.2%)0/45 (0%)
Most frequent serious events
Most frequent serious events
EventActive StimulationSham StimulationWaitlist (no Stimulation)
Tic attackNervous system disorders0/440/441/45
Most frequent other events
Most frequent other events
EventActive StimulationSham StimulationWaitlist (no Stimulation)
Electrodes in contact with skinSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders8/444/440/45

Baseline characteristics

Baseline population excludes enrolled participants who were withdrawn before the week1 assessments

Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(years)Active StimulationSham StimulationWaitlist (no Stimulation)Total
Mean23.5 ± 12.624.0 ± 13.424.4 ± 12.623.9 ± 12.8
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Active StimulationSham StimulationWaitlist (no Stimulation)Total
Female15161546
Male26232675
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected(Participants)Active StimulationSham StimulationWaitlist (no Stimulation)Total
Count of participants———0
Tic severity
Tic severity(score on a scale)Active StimulationSham StimulationWaitlist (no Stimulation)Total
Mean40.1 ± 7.039.5 ± 6.338.9 ± 6.939.5 ± 6.7
08

Study locations

1 site
  • Sir Colin Campbell Building
    Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG7 2TU, United Kingdom
09

References and documents

Publications

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  • Robertson MM, Eapen V, Cavanna AE. The international prevalence, epidemiology, and clinical phenomenology of Tourette syndrome: a cross-cultural perspective. J Psychosom Res. 2009 Dec;67(6):475-83. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2009.07.010. PubMed 19913651 ↗
  • Cohen SC, Leckman JF, Bloch MH. Clinical assessment of Tourette syndrome and tic disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2013 Jul;37(6):997-1007. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.11.013. Epub 2012 Dec 1. PubMed 23206664 ↗
  • Cavanna AE, Black KJ, Hallett M, Voon V. Neurobiology of the Premonitory Urge in Tourette's Syndrome: Pathophysiology and Treatment Implications. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2017 Spring;29(2):95-104. doi: 10.1176/appi.neuropsych.16070141. Epub 2017 Jan 25. PubMed 28121259 ↗
  • Leckman JF, Walker DE, Cohen DJ. Premonitory urges in Tourette's syndrome. Am J Psychiatry. 1993 Jan;150(1):98-102. doi: 10.1176/ajp.150.1.98. PubMed 8417589 ↗
  • Freeman RD, Fast DK, Burd L, Kerbeshian J, Robertson MM, Sandor P. An international perspective on Tourette syndrome: selected findings from 3,500 individuals in 22 countries. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2000 Jul;42(7):436-47. doi: 10.1017/s0012162200000839. PubMed 10972415 ↗
  • Conelea CA, Woods DW, Zinner SH, Budman C, Murphy T, Scahill LD, Compton SN, Walkup J. Exploring the impact of chronic tic disorders on youth: results from the Tourette Syndrome Impact Survey. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2011 Apr;42(2):219-42. doi: 10.1007/s10578-010-0211-4. PubMed 21046225 ↗
  • Conelea CA, Woods DW, Zinner SH, Budman CL, Murphy TK, Scahill LD, Compton SN, Walkup JT. The impact of Tourette Syndrome in adults: results from the Tourette Syndrome impact survey. Community Ment Health J. 2013 Feb;49(1):110-20. doi: 10.1007/s10597-011-9465-y. Epub 2011 Nov 4. PubMed 22052430 ↗
  • Robertson MM. Mood disorders and Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome: An update on prevalence, etiology, comorbidity, clinical associations, and implications. J Psychosom Res. 2006 Sep;61(3):349-58. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2006.07.019. PubMed 16938513 ↗
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  • Whittington C, Pennant M, Kendall T, Glazebrook C, Trayner P, Groom M, Hedderly T, Heyman I, Jackson G, Jackson S, Murphy T, Rickards H, Robertson M, Stern J, Hollis C. Practitioner Review: Treatments for Tourette syndrome in children and young people - a systematic review. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2016 Sep;57(9):988-1004. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12556. Epub 2016 May 2. PubMed 27132945 ↗
  • Roessner V, Plessen KJ, Rothenberger A, Ludolph AG, Rizzo R, Skov L, Strand G, Stern JS, Termine C, Hoekstra PJ; ESSTS Guidelines Group. European clinical guidelines for Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders. Part II: pharmacological treatment. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2011 Apr;20(4):173-96. doi: 10.1007/s00787-011-0163-7. PubMed 21445724 ↗
  • Hollis C, Pennant M, Cuenca J, Glazebrook C, Kendall T, Whittington C, Stockton S, Larsson L, Bunton P, Dobson S, Groom M, Hedderly T, Heyman I, Jackson GM, Jackson S, Murphy T, Rickards H, Robertson M, Stern J. Clinical effectiveness and patient perspectives of different treatment strategies for tics in children and adolescents with Tourette syndrome: a systematic review and qualitative analysis. Health Technol Assess. 2016 Jan;20(4):1-450, vii-viii. doi: 10.3310/hta20040. PubMed 26786936 ↗
  • Azrin NH, Nunn RG. Habit-reversal: a method of eliminating nervous habits and tics. Behav Res Ther. 1973 Nov;11(4):619-28. doi: 10.1016/0005-7967(73)90119-8. No abstract available. PubMed 4777653 ↗
  • Piacentini J, Woods DW, Scahill L, Wilhelm S, Peterson AL, Chang S, Ginsburg GS, Deckersbach T, Dziura J, Levi-Pearl S, Walkup JT. Behavior therapy for children with Tourette disorder: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2010 May 19;303(19):1929-37. doi: 10.1001/jama.2010.607. PubMed 20483969 ↗
  • Cuenca J, Glazebrook C, Kendall T, Hedderly T, Heyman I, Jackson G, Murphy T, Rickards H, Robertson M, Stern J, Trayner P, Hollis C. Perceptions of treatment for tics among young people with Tourette syndrome and their parents: a mixed methods study. BMC Psychiatry. 2015 Mar 11;15:46. doi: 10.1186/s12888-015-0430-0. PubMed 25879205 ↗
  • Hsu CW, Wang LJ, Lin PY. Efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for Tourette syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain Stimul. 2018 Sep-Oct;11(5):1110-1118. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2018.06.002. Epub 2018 Jun 5. PubMed 29885862 ↗
  • Charvet LE, Shaw MT, Bikson M, Woods AJ, Knotkova H. Supervised transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) at home: A guide for clinical research and practice. Brain Stimul. 2020 May-Jun;13(3):686-693. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2020.02.011. Epub 2020 Feb 10. PubMed 32289698 ↗
  • Fregni F, El-Hagrassy MM, Pacheco-Barrios K, Carvalho S, Leite J, Simis M, Brunelin J, Nakamura-Palacios EM, Marangolo P, Venkatasubramanian G, San-Juan D, Caumo W, Bikson M, Brunoni AR; Neuromodulation Center Working Group. Evidence-Based Guidelines and Secondary Meta-Analysis for the Use of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2021 Apr 21;24(4):256-313. doi: 10.1093/ijnp/pyaa051. PubMed 32710772 ↗
  • Morera Maiquez B, Sigurdsson HP, Dyke K, Clarke E, McGrath P, Pasche M, Rajendran A, Jackson GM, Jackson SR. Entraining Movement-Related Brain Oscillations to Suppress Tics in Tourette Syndrome. Curr Biol. 2020 Jun 22;30(12):2334-2342.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.04.044. Epub 2020 Jun 4. PubMed 32502412 ↗
  • Houlgreave MS, Morera Maiquez B, Brookes MJ, Jackson SR. The oscillatory effects of rhythmic median nerve stimulation. Neuroimage. 2022 May 1;251:118990. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.118990. Epub 2022 Feb 11. PubMed 35158022 ↗
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  • Debes N, Jeppesen S, Raghava JM, Groth C, Rostrup E, Skov L. Longitudinal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Analysis of the Developmental Changes of Tourette Syndrome Reveal Reduced Diffusion in the Cortico-Striato-Thalamo-Cortical Pathways. J Child Neurol. 2015 Sep;30(10):1315-26. doi: 10.1177/0883073814560629. Epub 2014 Dec 22. PubMed 25535056 ↗

Study documents

PDFs hosted by the registry, ClinicalTrials.gov.

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jun 30, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT05269953
Lead sponsor
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Collaborators
Neurotherapeutics Ltd, University of Nottingham
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Mar 8, 2022
Start date
Mar 18, 2022
Primary completion
Sep 26, 2022
Completion
Mar 5, 2023
Results posted
Jun 30, 2026
Last update
Jun 30, 2026

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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