An open trial showed the efficacy of CoPs treatment in adults with tics compared to waitlist with a 6:1 ratio. Results showed that 10 of the 85 participants completely reduced tic onset after therapy (gains maintained at 6-month follow-up). Prior results also showed efficacy in tic reduction in adults with or without medication, following CoPs treatment. The therapy was applied to five adolescents with TD, in a pilot study. Results showed a decrease in tic frequency and intensity and improvement in social functioning for the five participants. The CoPs treatment has also been adapted for children with TD addressing explosive outbursts (EO). Results showed a decrease of EO frequency of at least 34% for four participants out of six. Another participant showed a 75% decrease in posttreatment, but did not complete the follow-up assessment. The last participant showed a 67% decrease between the beginning of therapy and follow-up, despite an increase of EO frequency at baseline assessment. Finally, a single-case design study of the CoPs treatment addressing tic severity in childhood was conducted with 11 children aged 8-12 years old. A decrease of 29.8% of tic onset was observed posttreatment (p < 0.001, d = 0.97), and the decrease was monitored over 1 year. Results showed a decrease of at least 1 SD in measures, post 12 months.
After this pilot study, a manualized version of the treatment protocol in children termed Facotik has been finalized, and the aim of the current study is to evaluate its efficacy in a larger consecutive case series. Based on previous research, a decrease of tic severity was expected after treatment. The efficacy of the treatment adapted for children will have important implications for the intervention in TD and whether addressing the underlying sensorimotor processes is sufficient to reduce tics.