Clinical psychologist Hannah Reese receives multimillion dollar grant to conduct a five-year clinical trial comparing mindfulness-based intervention with traditional psychotherapy for Tourette Syndrome.
Tourette Syndrome (TS), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics, affects individuals from childhood and can have a significant impact on their daily lives. Clinical psychologist Hannah Reese has dedicated her career to finding effective treatments for TS, and her recent efforts have been rewarded with a multimillion dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health. This grant will enable Reese, along with her colleagues at Johns Hopkins University, to conduct a five-year clinical trial comparing her mindfulness-based intervention with other established non-medicinal techniques. Through this trial, Reese aims to provide symptomatic relief and improve the quality of life for individuals with TS.
Understanding Tourette Syndrome:
Reese emphasizes the importance of distinguishing TS from other behaviors that may resemble it, such as stuttering or trauma-induced tics. TS is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by abnormalities in the brain regions responsible for motor coordination and inhibition. It typically manifests in childhood, between the ages of five and seven. Individuals with TS experience motor and vocal tics, often accompanied by a premonitory urge, a discomfort that can be relieved by engaging in the tic. The severity of TS varies, with some individuals experiencing subtle tics that have minimal impact on their lives, while others face severe and complex tics that can affect their ability to maintain employment and social relationships. Additionally, individuals with TS often experience comorbid conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, and ADHD.
Current Treatment Options:
While a range of treatments, including medication and psychotherapy, exist for TS, Reese notes that providing sufficient symptomatic relief has been challenging. Medications, in particular, often come with unpleasant side effects. Recognizing the influence of emotional states and environmental stress on tics, behavioral treatments have become favored as a first-line option.
The Mindfulness-Based Intervention:
Reese’s treatment approach involves a psychotherapy program that incorporates mindfulness and meditation techniques. Over the past thirteen years, Reese has tested this approach in two previous trials, and her current trial represents a significant expansion in scale. The intervention spans eight weeks and takes place online in small groups led by a therapist. Participants learn the fundamentals of meditation and mindfulness before applying these practices to their TS symptoms. The goal is to increase participants’ awareness of their urges and tics, fostering a new way of relating to these sensations and allowing them to dissipate naturally without engaging in the tic. Importantly, the program also focuses on building self-compassion and challenging negative beliefs associated with having tics. By providing a space for individuals with TS to connect with others who share similar experiences, lasting connections and support networks can be formed.
The Clinical Trial:
Since receiving the multimillion dollar grant, Reese, along with her co-project leader Joseph McGuire and collaborator W. Alan Brown, has been preparing a training manual and recruiting clinical psychologists to lead the intervention. The trial, set to open for participation in February 2024, will compare the effectiveness of the mindfulness-based intervention with a more traditional form of psychotherapy. Through rigorous evaluation, Reese aims to determine which approach offers greater benefits for individuals with TS.
Conclusion:
Hannah Reese’s groundbreaking research into using mindfulness as a treatment for Tourette Syndrome offers hope for individuals living with this neurodevelopmental disorder. With the support of a multimillion dollar grant, Reese’s five-year clinical trial will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of mindfulness-based intervention compared to traditional psychotherapy. By focusing on building awareness, self-compassion, and new ways of relating to tics, Reese aims to improve the lives of individuals with TS and pave the way for more effective treatments in the future. As the trial progresses, the results will undoubtedly shape the landscape of TS treatment, offering a brighter future for those affected by this condition.
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