Tic DisorderNCT06924918

Scalp Acupuncture Treatment for Chronic Tic Disorders in Children

A study testing Scalp Acupuncture Treatment and Tuina Treatment Group in people with Tic Disorder, run by Children's Hospital of Fudan University at 1 site in China.

Enrolling by invitation

Enrolling by invitation. The study team selects and invites participants, usually from an existing group of patients.

Sites and contacts

Official record

Search all trials

Trial 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. Read more about this study

Who is it for?: Ages 4 to 12 years
Conditions the study is for: Tic Disorder
What is being tested?: Scalp Acupuncture Treatment and Tuina Treatment Group
Type of treatment: Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?: No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people: 136 participants
Where: 1 siteChina
Study dates: 1 Aug 2025to 30 Apr 2027
Phase: Interventional
Are there results?: Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

Ages 4 to 12 years
All sexes
No healthy volunteers
Child

Who may be able to join

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.
Voluntary participation with a signed informed consent form.

Who cannot join

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.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

China1 site

Children's Hospital, Fudan University
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 201102

Other trials in China

About this study

Official title: Scalp Acupuncture Treatment for Chronic Tic Disorders in Children: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

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).

Read the detailed description

Tourette Disorder (TD), which includes Temporary Tic Disorder (TTD), Chronic Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder (CTD), and Tourette Syndrome (TS), is a common neuropsychiatric condition in children and teenagers. It is characterized by sudden, rapid, repetitive, and non-rhythmic movements (motor tics) or sounds (vocal tics), or both. TD is most common in school-aged children, typically starting between ages 3 and 15, with symptoms peaking around ages 10-12. Children with TD often experience other challenges like obsessive-compulsive behaviors (OCD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum traits, anxiety, depression, sleep issues, or self-harm. These challenges can significantly impact the child's life, family, and society, making TD a chronic and difficult-to-treat condition that affects young people's health and quality of life.

Current treatments mainly involve medications and behavioral therapy. Drugs are often the first choice and can help reduce core symptoms, but side effects, poor long-term adherence, and symptom relapse after stopping medication make many families hesitant to use them. Behavioral therapy has fewer side effects but requires long-term effort, works slowly, and may not suit younger children.

Traditional acupuncture has shown promise in treating childhood neuropsychiatric conditions. Research suggests acupuncture may help by regulating nervous system function, improving brain blood flow, and balancing brain chemicals. Recent studies on TD report that acupuncture might reduce tic frequency/severity, improve mood/behavior, and enhance daily life. However, reviews of existing research point out flaws like small study groups, poorly designed methods, and lack of proper control groups. These issues create uncertainty about acupuncture's true effectiveness for TD, highlighting the need for larger, better-designed studies to confirm its benefits.

In this 12-week, randomized, controlled trial with outcome assessor and data analyst blinding, a total of 136 children with chronic tic disorders (CTD) will be enrolled. Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups: 1) the scalp acupuncture group (n = 68), which will receive scalp acupuncture combined with Tuina treatment (two sessions per week for 12 weeks), and 2) the routine intervention control group (n = 68), which will undergo Tuina treatment. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, weeks 4, 8, and 12 (treatment phase), and week 24 (follow-up phase) using the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS), Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale, Children and Adolescents' Quality of Life Scale for Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (C\&A-GTS-QOL) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).

The study will be conducted across five clinical centers: the Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Xiamen Children's Hospital, First People's Hospital of Zunyi, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Dehong Prefecture People's Hospital.

Conditions: Tic Disorder
Being tested: Scalp Acupuncture Treatment, Tuina Treatment Group
Keywords: Tic Disorder, scalp acupuncture treatment, Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Medical subject headings: Tic Disorders

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

Scalp Acupuncture TreatmentOther
Acupoint Selection:
Baihui (GV20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Frontal Midline Line (MS1), Vertex Midline Line (MS5), Lateral Line 1 of Vertex (MS7), Shenting (GV24), Yintang (EX-HN3), Shuaigu (GB8)
Acupuncture Manipulation:
Needles with a diameter of 0.18-0.35 mm and length of 13-25 mm are selected. After routine disinfection of the acupoint skin, the practitioner holds the micro-needle and quickly inserts it into the subcutaneous tissue at an insertion angle of 15°-30°, primarily using superficial horizontal insertion. The insertion depth is maintained at 15-20 mm, adjusted according to the child's head circumference, body size, and body mass. Needles are retained for 30 minutes.
Course of treatment:
2 times a week for 12 weeks
Tuina Treatment GroupOther
Prescription:
Spleen Meridian (Pi Jing), Small Heavenly Heart (Xiao Tianxin), Five Finger Joints (Wu Zhi Jie), Internal Bagua (Nei Bagua), Hand Yin-Yang (Shou Yin Yang), Upper Three Passes (Shang San Guan), Gushing Spring (Yongquan, KI-1), Leg Three Miles (Zusanli, ST-36) Manipulation Techniques
Pushing/Kneading the Spleen Meridian (Tonifying Pi Jing):
Tapping Small Heavenly Heart (Xiao Tianxin):
Kneading the Five Finger Joints (Wu Zhi Jie):
Moving the Internal Bagua (Nei Bagua):
Separating Yin and Yang (Separating Shou Yin Yang):
Pushing Up the Upper Three Passes (Pushing San Guan):
Kneading Gushing Spring (Yongquan, KI-1):
Kneading Leg Three Miles (Zusanli, ST-36):
2 times a week for 12 weeks

Study groups in NCT06924918
Study group	Role	What they receive
Scalp Acupuncture Treatment Group	Experimental	This group will receive scalp acupuncture treatment combined with Tuina treatment. The scalp acupuncture treatment and Tuina treatment will be implemented two times a week, eight times per treatment course, with each patient having three treatment courses in total. Receives: Other: Scalp Acupuncture Treatment; Other: Tuina Treatment Group
Tuina Treatment Group	Active comparator	This group will receive Tuina treatment only. The Tuina treatment will be implemented two times a week, eight times per treatment course, with each patient having three treatment courses in total. Receives: Other: Tuina Treatment Group

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS)
Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) is a standardized instrument designed to assess the severity of tic disorders. It evaluates motor tics and vocal tics separately across five dimensions: frequency, intensity, complexity, interference, and overall severity, with each dimension scored on a scale of 0-5 points. The total scores for motor and vocal tics range from 0-25 points each. Additionally, the YGTSS assesses the overall functional impairment caused by tics in daily life, social interactions, academic performance, and occupational activities, with impairment scores ranging from 0-50 points. Total YGTSS Score is calculated as the sum of motor tic score, vocal tic score, and functional impairment score, yielding a composite score of 0-100 points, where higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
Measured: Assessments will be conducted at baseline, during the treatment phase (weeks 4, 8, and 12), and during the follow-up phase (week 24).

Secondary outcomes (3)

Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Scale
Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Scale, a globally recognized efficacy assessment tool for psychiatric disorders, comprises three domains: Severity of Illness (CGI-S), Global Improvement (CGI-I), and Efficacy Index (CGI-E). For this study, only CGI-S and CGI-I will be utilized.
CGI-S evaluates the relative severity of current psychiatric symptoms based on clinical expertise, rated on a 7-point scale:
1: No illness 7: Extremely severe illness Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.
CGI-I assesses overall clinical improvement following intervention, scored on a 7-point scale ranging from -2 (very marked worsening) to +4 (very marked improvement), with 0 indicating no change.By integrating CGI-S (baseline severity) and CGI-I (post-treatment change), this scale provides a structured framework to objectively quantify disease burden and therapeutic response in patients with tic disorders following acupuncture intervention.
Measured: Assessments will be conducted at baseline, during the treatment phase (weeks 4, 8, and 12), and during the follow-up phase (week 24).
Children and Adolescents Quality of Life Scale for Tourette Syndrome (C&A-GTS-QOL)
This scale is specifically designed for patients with Chronic Tic Disorders (CTD) and, compared to generic quality of life instruments, provides a more precise assessment of CTD-related quality of life. The scale comprises 27 items across four domains: Psychological well-being (11 items), Activities of daily living (7 items), Obsessive-compulsive thoughts and behaviors (5 items), Cognitive functioning (4 items).
Each item is rated using a 5-point Likert scale. Positively worded items are scored from 1 ("strongly disagree") to 5 ("strongly agree"), while reverse-scored items are inversely coded. Domain scores are calculated by summing the item scores within each domain, and the total raw score is derived by aggregating all domain scores.
Measured: Assessments will be conducted at baseline, during the treatment phase (weeks 4, 8, and 12), and during the follow-up phase (week 24)
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)
The CBCL evaluates general information, social competence, and behavioral problems.
Social Competence:
Encompasses three domains: activities, social interactions, and academic performance.
Behavioral Problems:
Assesses 113 items across domains such as depression, anxiety, and aggression.
Items are scored on a 3-point Likert scale:
0: Absent
1. Mild or occasional
2. Marked or frequent This framework enables a comprehensive evaluation of acupuncture's impact on behavioral outcomes in children with tic disorders by integrating multidimensional metrics of social adaptation and psychopathology.
Measured: Assessments will be conducted at baseline, during the treatment phase (weeks 4, 8, and 12), and during the follow-up phase (week 24)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

1 Aug 202530 Apr 2027

First posted13 Apr 2025
Study start1 Aug 2025 (estimated)
Primary completion30 Apr 2027 (estimated)
Study completion30 Apr 2027 (estimated)

Resources

Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
Publications (10)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
Other trials for Tic DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
More trials run by Children's Hospital of Fudan UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design

Study type: Interventional
Phase: Phase N/A
Primary purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomised
Intervention model: Parallel groups
Model description: This is an outcome assessor and data analyst-blinded, randomized, controlled superiority trial.
Masking: Double blind
Who is masked: Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment: 136 participants (estimated)

IDs, dates and publications

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06924918
Sponsor's protocol ID: CHFudanU2025-29
Status last verified: Jul 2025
First submitted: 5 Apr 2025
Last updated: 23 Jul 2025
Results posted: No
Data monitoring committee: Yes
FDA-regulated drug: No
FDA-regulated device: No
Individual data sharing: Yes: The trial results will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific paper and through oral presentations at conferences. The datasets （IPD） during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Publications

Leckman JF. Tic disorders. BMJ. 2012 Jan 5;344:d7659. doi: 10.1136/bmj.d7659. No abstract available.
PubMed 22223834
Oluwabusi OO, Parke S, Ambrosini PJ. Tourette syndrome associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: The impact of tics and psychopharmacological treatment options. World J Clin Pediatr. 2016 Feb 8;5(1):128-35. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v5.i1.128. eCollection 2016 Feb 8.
PubMed 26862512
Knight T, Steeves T, Day L, Lowerison M, Jette N, Pringsheim T. Prevalence of tic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pediatr Neurol. 2012 Aug;47(2):77-90. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2012.05.002.
PubMed 22759682
Jiang Yanlin, Zhang Qiang, Zhai Rui, Peng Yaqi, Tai Ran, and Wang Junhong. Systematic Review on the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Tic Disorders in Chinese Children. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2023; 31: 661-667.
Yang C, Zhang L, Zhu P, Zhu C, Guo Q. The prevalence of tic disorders for children in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Jul;95(30):e4354. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000004354.
PubMed 27472724
Liu ZS, Cui YH, Sun D, Lu Q, Jiang YW, Jiang L, Wang JQ, Luo R, Fang F, Zhou SZ, Wang Y, Cai FC, Lin Q, Xiong L, Zheng Y, Qin J. Current Status, Diagnosis, and Treatment Recommendation for Tic Disorders in China. Front Psychiatry. 2020 Aug 13;11:774. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00774. eCollection 2020.
PubMed 32903695
Yang C, Cheng X, Zhang Q, Yu D, Li J, Zhang L. Interventions for tic disorders: An updated overview of systematic reviews and meta analyses. Psychiatry Res. 2020 May;287:112905. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112905. Epub 2020 Mar 1.
PubMed 32163785
Pringsheim T, Okun MS, Muller-Vahl K, Martino D, Jankovic J, Cavanna AE, Woods DW, Robinson M, Jarvie E, Roessner V, Oskoui M, Holler-Managan Y, Piacentini J. Practice guideline recommendations summary: Treatment of tics in people with Tourette syndrome and chronic tic disorders. Neurology. 2019 May 7;92(19):896-906. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000007466.
PubMed 31061208
Kim DD, Barr AM, Chung Y, Yuen JWY, Etminan M, Carleton BC, White RF, Honer WG, Procyshyn RM. Antipsychotic-Associated Symptoms of Tourette Syndrome: A Systematic Review. CNS Drugs. 2018 Oct;32(10):917-938. doi: 10.1007/s40263-018-0559-8.
PubMed 30121819
Roessner V, Eichele H, Stern JS, Skov L, Rizzo R, Debes NM, Nagy P, Cavanna AE, Termine C, Ganos C, Munchau A, Szejko N, Cath D, Muller-Vahl KR, Verdellen C, Hartmann A, Rothenberger A, Hoekstra PJ, Plessen KJ. European clinical guidelines for Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders-version 2.0. Part III: pharmacological treatment. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2022 Mar;31(3):425-441. doi: 10.1007/s00787-021-01899-z. Epub 2021 Nov 10.
PubMed 34757514

Interested in taking part?

The sponsor has not listed a contact. The official record may have more details.

Talk to your doctor first and take this page with you. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

Questions to ask the study team

What is the study trying to find out?
What would I need to do, and how often would I visit?
Could I receive a placebo instead of the treatment?
What are the possible risks and benefits for me?
Will it cost me anything? Are travel or time paid for?
Can I keep seeing my own doctor during the study?
What happens when the study ends?

See sites and contacts

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Distinguishing Tics and Functional Tics Using Clinical Neurophysiological Techniques
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Evaluating and Promoting Resilience in Adolescents With Tourette Syndrome
Tourette Syndrome, Tic Disorders
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Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Chronic Tic Disorders/Tourette's Syndrome in Children and Adolescents
Tourette Syndrome, Chronic Tic Disorder
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Single Session Support for Parents of Children With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Struggling With Anxious Avoidance
Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
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All Tic Disorder trials

Study at a glance

From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Jul 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.

Official title: Scalp Acupuncture Treatment for Chronic Tic Disorders in Children: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06924918
Acronym / sponsor ID: CHFudanU2025-29
Conditions: Tic Disorder
Keywords: Tic Disorder, scalp acupuncture treatment, Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Study type: Interventional
Recruitment status: Enrolling by invitation
Enrolment: 136 participants (estimated)
Lead sponsor: Children's Hospital of Fudan UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
Study start: 1 Aug 2025 (estimated)
Primary completion: 30 Apr 2027 (estimated)
Study completion: 30 Apr 2027 (estimated)
First posted: 13 Apr 2025 (actual)
Results: Not posted in the source record

Clinical summary

The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.

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).

Detailed description

Study design

Primary purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomised
Intervention model: Parallel groups
Masking: Double blind (investigator, outcomes assessor)
Number of arms: 2
Model description: This is an outcome assessor and data analyst-blinded, randomized, controlled superiority trial.

Arm	Type	Receives
Scalp Acupuncture Treatment Group	Experimental	Other: Scalp Acupuncture Treatment, Other: Tuina Treatment GroupThis group will receive scalp acupuncture treatment combined with Tuina treatment. The scalp acupuncture treatment and Tuina treatment will be implemented two times a week, eight times per treatment course, with each patient having three treatment courses in total.
Tuina Treatment Group	Active comparator	Other: Tuina Treatment GroupThis group will receive Tuina treatment only. The Tuina treatment will be implemented two times a week, eight times per treatment course, with each patient having three treatment courses in total.

Who may qualify

Ages: 4 to 12 years
Sex: All
Healthy volunteers: Not accepted
Age groups: Child

Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)

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.

Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)

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.

Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Interventions

Intervention	Type	Arms
Scalp Acupuncture TreatmentAcupoint Selection: Baihui (GV20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Frontal Midline Line (MS1), Vertex Midline Line (MS5), Lateral Line 1 of Vertex (MS7), Shenting (GV24), Yintang (EX-HN3), Shuaigu (GB8) Acupuncture Manipulation: Needles with a diameter of 0.18-0.35 mm and length of 13-25 mm are selected. After routine disinfection of the acupoint skin, the practitioner holds the micro-needle and quickly inserts it into the subcutaneous tissue at an insertion angle of 15°-30°, primarily using superficial horizontal insertion. The insertion depth is maintained at 15-20 mm, adjusted according to the child's head circumference, body size, and body mass. Needles are retained for 30 minutes. Course of treatment: 2 times a week for 12 weeks	Other	Scalp Acupuncture Treatment Group
Tuina Treatment GroupPrescription: Spleen Meridian (Pi Jing), Small Heavenly Heart (Xiao Tianxin), Five Finger Joints (Wu Zhi Jie), Internal Bagua (Nei Bagua), Hand Yin-Yang (Shou Yin Yang), Upper Three Passes (Shang San Guan), Gushing Spring (Yongquan, KI-1), Leg Three Miles (Zusanli, ST-36) Manipulation Techniques Pushing/Kneading the Spleen Meridian (Tonifying Pi Jing): Tapping Small Heavenly Heart (Xiao Tianxin): Kneading the Five Finger Joints (Wu Zhi Jie): Moving the Internal Bagua (Nei Bagua): Separating Yin and Yang (Separating Shou Yin Yang): Pushing Up the Upper Three Passes (Pushing San Guan): Kneading Gushing Spring (Yongquan, KI-1): Kneading Leg Three Miles (Zusanli, ST-36): 2 times a week for 12 weeks	Other	Scalp Acupuncture Treatment Group, Tuina Treatment Group

Primary outcome

Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS)
Time frame: Assessments will be conducted at baseline, during the treatment phase (weeks 4, 8, and 12), and during the follow-up phase (week 24).
Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) is a standardized instrument designed to assess the severity of tic disorders. It evaluates motor tics and vocal tics separately across five dimensions: frequency, intensity, complexity, interference, and overall severity, with each dimension scored on a scale of 0-5 points. The total scores for motor and vocal tics range from 0-25 points each. Additionally, the YGTSS assesses the overall functional impairment caused by tics in daily life, social interactions, academic performance, and occupational activities, with impairment scores ranging from 0-50 points. Total YGTSS Score is calculated as the sum of motor tic score, vocal tic score, and functional impairment score, yielding a composite score of 0-100 points, where higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.

3 secondary outcomes

Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Scale
Time frame: Assessments will be conducted at baseline, during the treatment phase (weeks 4, 8, and 12), and during the follow-up phase (week 24).
Children and Adolescents Quality of Life Scale for Tourette Syndrome (C&A-GTS-QOL)
Time frame: Assessments will be conducted at baseline, during the treatment phase (weeks 4, 8, and 12), and during the follow-up phase (week 24)
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)
Time frame: Assessments will be conducted at baseline, during the treatment phase (weeks 4, 8, and 12), and during the follow-up phase (week 24)

Results and safety

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

Research links

Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Jul 2025.
Background: PubMed 22223834Leckman JF. Tic disorders. BMJ. 2012 Jan 5;344:d7659. doi: 10.1136/bmj.d7659. No abstract available.
Background: PubMed 26862512Oluwabusi OO, Parke S, Ambrosini PJ. Tourette syndrome associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: The impact of tics and psychopharmacological treatment options. World J Clin Pediatr. 2016 Feb 8;5(1):128-35. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v5.i1.128. eCollection 2016 Feb 8.
Background: PubMed 22759682Knight T, Steeves T, Day L, Lowerison M, Jette N, Pringsheim T. Prevalence of tic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pediatr Neurol. 2012 Aug;47(2):77-90. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2012.05.002.
BackgroundJiang Yanlin, Zhang Qiang, Zhai Rui, Peng Yaqi, Tai Ran, and Wang Junhong. Systematic Review on the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Tic Disorders in Chinese Children. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2023; 31: 661-667.
Background: PubMed 27472724Yang C, Zhang L, Zhu P, Zhu C, Guo Q. The prevalence of tic disorders for children in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Jul;95(30):e4354. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000004354.
Background: PubMed 32903695Liu ZS, Cui YH, Sun D, Lu Q, Jiang YW, Jiang L, Wang JQ, Luo R, Fang F, Zhou SZ, Wang Y, Cai FC, Lin Q, Xiong L, Zheng Y, Qin J. Current Status, Diagnosis, and Treatment Recommendation for Tic Disorders in China. Front Psychiatry. 2020 Aug 13;11:774. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00774. eCollection 2020.
Background: PubMed 32163785Yang C, Cheng X, Zhang Q, Yu D, Li J, Zhang L. Interventions for tic disorders: An updated overview of systematic reviews and meta analyses. Psychiatry Res. 2020 May;287:112905. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112905. Epub 2020 Mar 1.
Background: PubMed 31061208Pringsheim T, Okun MS, Muller-Vahl K, Martino D, Jankovic J, Cavanna AE, Woods DW, Robinson M, Jarvie E, Roessner V, Oskoui M, Holler-Managan Y, Piacentini J. Practice guideline recommendations summary: Treatment of tics in people with Tourette syndrome and chronic tic disorders. Neurology. 2019 May 7;92(19):896-906. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000007466.
Background: PubMed 30121819Kim DD, Barr AM, Chung Y, Yuen JWY, Etminan M, Carleton BC, White RF, Honer WG, Procyshyn RM. Antipsychotic-Associated Symptoms of Tourette Syndrome: A Systematic Review. CNS Drugs. 2018 Oct;32(10):917-938. doi: 10.1007/s40263-018-0559-8.
Background: PubMed 34757514Roessner V, Eichele H, Stern JS, Skov L, Rizzo R, Debes NM, Nagy P, Cavanna AE, Termine C, Ganos C, Munchau A, Szejko N, Cath D, Muller-Vahl KR, Verdellen C, Hartmann A, Rothenberger A, Hoekstra PJ, Plessen KJ. European clinical guidelines for Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders-version 2.0. Part III: pharmacological treatment. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2022 Mar;31(3):425-441. doi: 10.1007/s00787-021-01899-z. Epub 2021 Nov 10.
Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. The trial results will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific paper and through oral presentations at conferences. The datasets （IPD） during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Referral and contact

AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.

Hao Zhou, M.D. principal investigator

Children's Hospital of Fudan University

1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Scalp Acupuncture Treatment and Tuina Treatment Group in people with Tic Disorder, run by Children's Hospital of Fudan University at 1 site in China.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: enrolling by invitation, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Jul 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) (time frame: Assessments will be conducted at baseline, during the treatment phase (weeks 4, 8, and 12), and during the follow-up phase (week 24).). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06924918, which also lists 10 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 23 Jul 2025.