Self-reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on young patients with tic disorders: findings from a case–control study

Cristiano Termine, Vera Galli, Linda Greta Dui, Valentina Berlusconi, Rachele Taras, Marta Vergani, Francesca Lunardini, Simona Ferrante, Andrea Eugenio Cavanna

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Little is known about the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown measures on young patients with tic disorders. Previous studies focused on clinician and parent ratings of tic severity, whereas the only international self-report data are available for adult populations. We present the first findings from a case–control study on children and adolescents with tics during lockdown in Italy.
Methods

We surveyed 49 patients aged 6–18 years and 245 matched controls with a newly developed questionnaire covering socio-demographic and clinical data, as well as lockdown-related changes to daily life activities.
Results

About half (53.2%) of the Italian school-age patients who took part in our survey experienced changes in tic severity during lockdown. Perceived increases in tic severity (29.8%) were reported more often than decreases (23.4%). Analogous trends were reported for perceived restlessness and, more significantly, irritability, whereas changes in pain symptoms were less common and were similar in both directions. The presence of tics was associated with increased difficulties with remote learning (p = 0.01), but decreased feelings of missing out on social interactions with schoolmates (p = 0.03).
Conclusions

Self-reported data on the impact of COVID-19 lockdown in school-age patients with tic disorders indicate perceived changes in tic severity, as well as restlessness and irritability, in about half of the cases. These findings could guide both clinicians and teachers in the implementation of targeted adjustments in the delivery of care and educational strategies, respectively.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3497-3501
Number of pages5
JournalNeurological Sciences
Volume43
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Mar 2022

Keywords

  • Adolescents
  • COVID-19 pandemic
  • Children
  • Lockdown
  • Tic disorders
  • Tics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Self-reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on young patients with tic disorders: findings from a case–control study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this