Increasing understanding of and exploring interoceptive processes in functional tic-like behaviours in comparison to chronic tic disorders

Abstract

Chapter 1 presents a systematic review exploring the characteristics of functional tic-like behaviours and how they compare to established features of chronic tic disorders. Overall, 33 studies were included in the review and were assessed for quality of research methods and reporting. Evidence from the studies highlighted differences between functional tic-like behaviours and chronic tic disorders such as a higher age of onset and female predominance. Studies revealed mixed findings for features such as the severity and types of tics that occur in functional tic-like behaviours in comparison to chronic tic disorders. The majority of studies included small sample sizes and were observational. It is proposed that future research should conduct some experimental studies to investigate differences between chronic tic disorders and functional tic-like behaviours and recruit larger samples.
Chapter 2 presents a quantitative study investigating differences in interoceptive processes in young people with chronic tic disorders, young people with functional tic-like behaviours, and young people with neither diagnosis nor history of tics. Relationships between interoceptive processes, attentional control, comorbid psychiatric symptoms, tic-specific features, and quality of life were also explored. The study recruited 53 participants (23 with chronic tic disorders, 7 with functional tic-like behaviours, and 23 controls). Participants completed self-report measures and two tasks measuring different domains of interoceptive accuracy. Results revealed interoceptive accuracy and interoceptive insight did not differ between the three groups, but young people with functional tic-like behaviours had reduced interoceptive beliefs compared to young people with chronic tic disorders and controls. Interoceptive beliefs and comorbid anxiety and depression predicted quality of life in young people with chronic tic disorders and young people with functional tic-like behaviours. The study has some limitations such as a small sample size and interoceptive measures may lack construct validity. Future research should seek to recruit larger samples and validate interoception measures.
Chapter 3 presents a more detailed overview of the clinical features of chronic tic disorders. The different diagnoses are reported including the types of tics associated with chronic tic disorders and current psychological interventions used to treat tics. This chapter also discusses difficulties in recruiting young people with functional tic-like behaviours to this quantitative study. Possible explanations for the small sample size are discussed and suggestions for future research are made.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Kayleigh Tuttle-Cull: orcid.org/0009-0003-1220-8810

ORCID for Valerie Brandt: orcid.org/0000-0002-3208-2659

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