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

Abstract

Background 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.

Subjective impact of COVID-19 pandemic on youth with tic and OCD spectrum disorders

“… [34] In particular, studies have shown that the pandemic had a negative impact on OCD symptom severity [22] , [35] and on tic symptom severity. [24] , [36] Similar to these studies, parents surveyed in our study reported that their children’s tics and OCD symptoms did increase in severity. Impact on OCD symptoms appeared to be universally negative, regardless of presence of co-occurring tics.…”

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“…Thus, they need our reassurance and help in these difficult times, supported by a network of informed health-care professionals. Perceived changes in tic severity during the lockdown were also recently described in school-age patients with tic disorders ( 17 ). In addition, during the global pandemic caused by COVID-19, it was reported a dramatic increase in functional tic-like behaviors in vulnerable children and adolescents after social media exposure ( 18 , 19 ).…”

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“…The authors included 49 children with tics and 245 matched controls who were asked to provide information about lockdown-related changes to daily activities. More than half of patients reported perceived changes in tic severity, restlessness and irritability during the pandemic ( Termine et al . 2022 ).…”