The Premonitory Urge to Tic: Measurement, Characteristics, and Correlates in Older Adolescents and Adults

Abstract In addition to motor and/or vocal tics, many individuals with Tourette syndrome (TS) or chronic tic disorder (CTD) report frequent, uncomfortable sensory phenomena that immediately precede the tics. To date, examination of these premonitory sensations or urges has been limited by inconsiste...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Behavior therapy 2014-03, Vol.45 (2), p.177-186
Main Authors: Reese, Hannah E, Scahill, Lawrence, Peterson, Alan L, Crowe, Katherine, Woods, Douglas W, Piacentini, John, Walkup, John T, Wilhelm, Sabine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescents
Adult
adults
Aged
Anticipation, Psychological
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - complications
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - psychology
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Behavior Therapy
Behavior therapy. Cognitive therapy
Biological and medical sciences
chronic tic disorder
Comorbidity
Correlation analysis
Female
Gender differences
Humans
Intelligence
Intelligence quotient
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - complications
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - psychology
Obsessive-Compulsive neuroses
older adolescents
premonitory urge
Psychiatry
Psychological tests
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychometric properties
Psychometrics
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Reproducibility of Results
Self Report
Selfreport
Severity
Severity of Illness Index
Tic Disorders - complications
Tic Disorders - physiopathology
Tic Disorders - psychology
Tic Disorders - therapy
Tourette syndrome
Tourette's syndrome
Treatments
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract In addition to motor and/or vocal tics, many individuals with Tourette syndrome (TS) or chronic tic disorder (CTD) report frequent, uncomfortable sensory phenomena that immediately precede the tics. To date, examination of these premonitory sensations or urges has been limited by inconsistent assessment tools. In this paper, we examine the psychometric properties of a nine-item self-report measure, the Premonitory Urge to Tic Scale (PUTS) and examine the characteristics and correlates of the premonitory urge to tic in a clinical sample of 122 older adolescents and adults with TS or CTD. The PUTS demonstrated adequate internal consistency, temporal stability, and concurrent validity. Premonitory urges were endorsed by the majority of individuals. Most individuals reported some relief from the urges after completing a tic and being able to stop their tics even if only temporarily. Degree of premonitory urges was not significantly correlated with age, and we did not observe any gender differences. Degree of premonitory urges was significantly correlated with estimated IQ and tic severity, but not severity of comorbid obsessive–compulsive disorder or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Also, it was not related to concomitant medication status. These findings represent another step forward in our understanding of the premonitory sensations associated with TS and CTD.
ISSN:0005-7894
1878-1888
DOI:10.1016/j.beth.2013.09.002