Habit reversal training in children and adolescents with chronic tic disorders: an Italian randomized, single-blind pilot study.

Background: The aim of the present study was to test the possibility to apply habit reversal training (HRT) in Italy and to evaluate the effectiveness of HRT in reducing tic severity compared with the "usual care" (UC) in Italian children and adolescents with Tourette Syndrome.

Methods: We performed a single blind, randomized, pilot study comparing HRT (active treatment) and UC (usual treatment). Out of 69 patients seen during the study period, we were able to enroll 21 patients (11 randomized to HRT e 10 to UC).