Habit reversal with muscle tics: Replication and component analysis

Abstract

Habit reversal, a multicomponent treatment package, was compared with a simplified package consisting of just two components, awareness and competing response training, in the treatment of muscle tics. Nine subjects with various muscle tics were divided into two treatment groups. Awareness and competing response training was introduced for five subjects in a multiple baseline across subjects design. Using a similar design, four subjects were exposed to the entire habit reversal package. Objective measures of tics were attained by videotaping subjects under clinic conditions designed to evoke their respective tic. The results indicated that the awareness and competing response training was as effective in decreasing tic frequency as the whole habit reversal program. One subject with severe torticollis failed to benefit from the habit reversal. All other subjects in both groups showed marked improvement which was maintained at brief follow-up.