Scalp Acupuncture Treatment for Chronic Tic Disorders in Children (NCT06924918) | Clinical Trial Compass
By InvitationNot Applicable
Scalp Acupuncture Treatment for Chronic Tic Disorders in Children
China136 participantsStarted 2025-08-01
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if scalp acupuncture works to treat chronic tic disorders (CTD) in children. It will also learn about the safety of scalp acupuncture. The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does scalp acupuncture improve clinical symptoms and social functioning, and enhance quality of life in children with chronic tic disorders?
* Researchers will compare scalp acupuncture combined with Tuina treatment to Tuina treatment to see if scalp acupuncture treatment works to treat scalp acupuncture.
Participants will:
* Receive scalp acupuncture treatment and Tuina treatment for 2 times per week and last for 12 weeks.
* Receive questionnaire survey using the following scales: the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS), the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Scale, the Children and Adolescents Quality of Life Scale for Tourette Syndrome (C\&A-GTS-QOL) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).
Who can participate
Age range
4 Years – 12 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Meet the diagnostic criteria for Chronic Motor Tic Disorder or Vocal Tic Disorder as defined by the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition), confirmed by at least one associate chief psychiatrist. Tic severity must be mild to moderate (YGTSS total score ≤50).
. Age: 4-12 years old.
. Patients with comorbid conditions (e.g., ADHD, OCD, oppositional defiant disorder, depression, anxiety) must have stable medication regimens with no anticipated adjustments during the study period.
. Patients currently taking traditional Chinese herbal medications or decoctions for tics must agree to discontinue use and complete a 2-4 week washout period before enrollment.
. Newly diagnosed cases unwilling to start medication, patients with unsatisfactory medication-controlled tics, or those reporting significant side effects are eligible if tics have remained stable (unchanged for ≥2 months) without improvement.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS)
Timeframe: Assessments will be conducted at baseline, during the treatment phase (weeks 4, 8, and 12), and during the follow-up phase (week 24).
. Voluntary participation with a signed informed consent form.
Exclusion criteria
. IQ（intelligence quotient） ≤80.
. Severe cardiac, liver, kidney diseases, hyperthyroidism, or unstable vital signs.
. Comorbid conditions such as intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, childhood schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, specific learning disorders, or epilepsy.
. Patients currently taking traditional Chinese herbal medications or decoctions for tics who refuse to discontinue use.
. Patients unable to tolerate acupuncture therapy.
. Prior acupuncture treatment for tics proven ineffective.