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VIBES study (Vibrotactile Intervention for behavioural and emotional symptoms of tics and Tourette syndrome)
Posted on 13 August 2025 by Pippa McClounan
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Join a research study for young people aged 12-18 with tics
A new study from the University of Nottingham
What's involved?
People with TS or Chronic Tic Disorder often have tics — movements or sounds they can’t control. Researchers are testing a small device that gently vibrates on your wrist, like a smartwatch. They want to see if it helps reduce tics or the feelings that come before them.
Why participate?
People with Tourette syndrome or Chronic Tic Disorder experience tics: involuntary, repetitive movements and/or sounds. These tics can have a significant negative impact on people’s health and wellbeing.
Individuals with tics can be prescribed medication (which may have limited effect or come with unpleasant side effects), or behavioural therapy, but this is not always available. Therefore, there is a need for alternative management options.
One potential option is an intervention called vibrotactile stimulation. This is where a wearable device is put on the wrist or fingertips to give vibrations on the surface of the skin, like how a smartwatch might vibrate to give notifications. This vibration therapy has shown promising results for reducing unwanted movements in Parkinson’s disease, but it needs to be studied to see if it could also help reduce the unwanted movements of tics in people with tic disorders. This study aims to see if vibrotactile stimulation can reduce the frequency or severity of tics. We also want to see whether it reduces the unpleasant feelings (premonitory urges) that often come before tics.
Who can take part?
You can join if:
- You’re 12 to 18 years old
- You’ve had tics for at least 1 year
- You can travel to the University of Nottingham for one visit (travel reimbursement available)
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