Outcome in Pediatric Functional Tic Disorders Diagnosed During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of pediatric functional tics has surged during the COVID-19 pandemic with little known about prognosis. To address this knowledge gap, the investigators examined clinical courses of functional tics diagnosed during the pandemic and explored factors predicting prognosis. METHODS: Study personnel reviewed electronic medical records of 29 pediatric patients diagnosed as having functional tics between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021, and estimated Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scores at follow-up encounters. Twenty patient-guardian dyads completed telephone interviews. Logistic regression models were used to identify possible predictors of clinical trajectories. RESULTS: Of the 29 patients, 21 (82%) reported at least some improvement since diagnosis at the time of the last follow-up, with a median CGI-I score of 2 (much improved). During the telephone interview, 11 of 20 patients noted ongoing interference from tics, and 16 of 20 agreed with the diagnosis of functional tics. Median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 197 days, with most patients reporting at least a mild reduction of symptoms (CGI-I score <4) at a median of 21 days after diagnosis. At a median follow-up time of 198 days after diagnosis, patients reported significant but not complete improvement. Greater age and longer time to diagnosis decreased odds of improvement within 1 month of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients showed improvements in but not the resolution of functional tic symptoms after diagnosis. These data support the importance of early diagnosis for functional tics.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep in children with Tourette syndrome in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The aim of this mixed methods study was to gain an insight through qualitative and quantitative means into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with and without Tourette syndrome (TS). METHODS: Parents/guardians of children and adolescents with TS (n = 95; Mage = 11.2, SD = 2.68) and typically developing (TD) controls (n = 86; Mage = 10.7, SD = 2.8) in the UK and Ireland completed an online questionnaire examining sleep, with open-ended questions pertaining to their perceived impact of COVID-19 on the sleep of their children. Nine items from the SDSC were used to supplement qualitative data. RESULTS: A negative impact of the pandemic on the sleep of both groups was observed, including exacerbated tics, sleep deprivation, and anxiety, with particular disruption for children with TS. Parents of children with TS reported poorer sleep patterns than parents of TD children on the SDSC. Analyses showed that group and age predicted 43.8% of variance in sleep duration, F (4, 176) = 34.2, p < .001. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that sleep patterns of children with TS may be more impacted by the pandemic than the average child. Given that there are generally more sleep issues reported in children with TS, further research is warranted in relation to the sleep health of children with TS in a post-pandemic era. By identifying sleep issues potentially persisting after COVID-19, the true impact of the pandemic on the sleep of children and adolescents with Tourette syndrome may be ascertained.

New-onset functional tics during the COVID-19 pandemic: Clinical characteristics of 105 cases from a single centre.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated amongst other things with a sharp increase in adolescents and young adults presenting acutely with functional tics. Initial reports have suggested clinically relevant differences between functional tics and neurodevelopmental tics seen in primary tic disorders such as Tourette syndrome. We aimed to provide confirmatory findings from the largest single-centre cohort to date. METHODS: In the present study we present data from 105 consecutive patients who developed functional tics during a 3-year period overlapping with the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020-March 2023). All patients underwent a comprehensive neuropsychiatric assessment at a single specialist centre for tic disorders. RESULTS: Female adolescents and young adults accounted for 69% of our sample. Functional tics had an acute/subacute onset in most cases (75% with a peak of severity within 1 month). We found a disproportionately high frequency of complex movements (81%) and vocalizations (75%). A subset of patients (23%) had a pre-existing primary tic disorder (Tourette syndrome with functional overlay). The most common psychiatric co-morbidities were anxiety (70%) and affective disorders (40%). Moreover, 41% of patients had at least one functional neurological disorder in addition to functional tics. Exposure to tic-related social media content was reported by half of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm substantial clinical differences between functional tics developed during the pandemic and neurodevelopmental tics. Both patient- and tic-related red flags support the differential diagnostic process and inform ongoing monitoring in the post-pandemic era.

The impact of neurocognitive impairment on daily life functioning in older adults

The MMSE is one of the most widely used in-person cognitive screeners to assess global cognitive impairment (Folstein, 1975;Fong et al., 2009). The TICS, which is a cognitive screener that can be administered over the telephone, has been found to be highly correlated with the MMSE (Brandt et al., 1988). There is a lack of research comparing the MMSE and TICS ability to predict daily life functioning in older adults with varying degrees of cognitive abilities. Thus, this study examined the utility of the TICS-40 and MMSE to predict daily life functioning at different levels of cognitive impairment (mild cognitive impairment and dementia). Taken from the Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study (Plassman et al., 2007), a sample of 157 participants over the age of 70 with mild cognitive impairment or dementia were administered a battery of surveys and tests that included the MMSE, the TICS-40, the index of activities of daily living (ADLs), and the measure of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs, Lawton & Brody, 1969). The TICS and MMSE similarly predicted daily life functioning in the total sample and MCI group (n = 133). The MMSE was a better predictor in the dementia group (n = 24) than in the MCI group. Higher scores on both screeners predicted problems with telephone use and medication management in the MCI group. In the dementia group, higher MMSE scores showed marginal support for fewer problems with telephone use and medication management, while higher TICS scores predicted fewer problems with medication management. Investing resources in the development and knowledge of cognitive screeners and procedures for remote administration would benefit older adults. Regularly screening older adults in their homes may lead to earlier detection of decline, better treatment, allocation of more appropriate resources, and improvement in quality of life for older adults who are unable to meet with clinicians in an in-person setting due to illness such as COVID-19, physical disability, or those living in rural areas. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Rapid onset functional tic-like disorder outbreak: A challenging differential diagnosis in the COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, several countries have observed an unexpected increase in the number of adolescents and young adults presenting with rapid onset functional tic-like behaviours after being exposed to social media content of others displaying a similar pattern of functional tics. Many of these patients have been referred to Movement Disorders Clinics with misdiagnoses of late-onset refractory Tourette Syndrome after failing different pharmacological treatments for tics. Tourette Syndrome is a well-known condition with clear clinical diagnostic criteria and which presents with the insidious onset of simple motor and phonic tics in a rostro-caudal evolution starting in early childhood. Clinical and demographic aspects can differentiate rapid onset functional tic-like behaviours from Tourette Syndrome, including the former having abrupt and explosive presentation of severe symptoms, later age of onset, female gender predominance, lack of suppressibility, comorbid anxiety and depression, atypical premonitory urge and history of exposure to social media content displaying tic-like behaviours. This new presentation of a functional neurological disorder may be explained in part by the relationship between social media exposure to tic-like behaviours, and maladaptive response to anxiety caused by life stressors (e.g. COVID-19 pandemic), especially in young individuals. Rapid onset functional tic-like behaviours may be considered a spreading neuropsychiatric disorder that is potentially fostered by the psychosocial impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) (French) Durant la pandemie de la COVID-19, plusieurs pays ont observe une hausse inattendue du nombre d'adolescents et de jeunes adultes presentant des comportements fonctionnels de type tic a apparition rapide apres avoir ete exposes au contenu des medias sociaux d'autres personnes affichant un modele semblable de tics fonctionnels. Nombre de ces patients ont ete adresses a des cliniques de trouble du mouvement avec des diagnostics fautifs de syndrome de Tourette refractaire d'apparition tardive apres avoir echoue a differents traitements pharmacologiques pour les tics. Le syndrome de Tourette est un trouble bin connu dont les criteres diagnostiques cliniques sont clairs et qui presente le debut insidieux de simples tics moteurs et phoniques dans une evolution rostro-caudale au debut de l'enfance. Les aspects cliniques et demographiques peuvent differencier l'apparition rapide de comportements fonctionnels de type tic du syndrome de Tourette, notamment parce que les premiers ont une presentation abrupte et explosive de symptomes graves, apparaissent a un age plus avance, ont une predominance chez le sexe feminin, manquent de suppressibilite, anxiete et depression comorbides, envie premonitoire atypique et antecedents d'exposition au contenu des medias sociaux affichant des comportements de type tic. Cette nouvelle presentation d'un trouble neurologique fonctionnel peut s'expliquer en partie par la relation entre l'exposition aux comportements de type tic dans les medias sociaux et la reponse inadaptee a l'anxiete causee par les stresseurs de la vie (p. ex., pandemie de la COVID-19), surtout chez les jeunes personnes. Les comportements fonctionnels de type tic a apparition rapide peuvent etre consideres comme un trouble neuropsychiatrique qui se propage et qui est potentiellement favorise par l'effet psychosocial cause par la pandemie de la COVID-19. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Rapid onset of functional tic-like behaviors among adolescent girls-Minnesota, September-November 2021.

Background: On October 15, 2021, the Minnesota Department of Health began investigating a school cluster of students experiencing tic-like behaviors thought to be related to recent COVID-19. The objective of this report is to describe the investigation, key findings, and public health recommendations. Methods: Affected students and proxies were interviewed with a standardized questionnaire including validated depression and anxiety screens. Results: Eight students had tic-like behaviors lasting >24 h after initial report with onset during September 26-October 30, 2021. All eight students were females aged 15-17 years. All students either had a history of depression or anxiety or scored as having more than minimal anxiety or depression on validated screens. Four students previously had confirmed COVID-19: the interval between prior COVID-19 and tic symptom onset varied from more than a year prior to tic symptom onset to at the time of tic symptom onset. Conclusion: The onset of tic-like behaviors at one school in Minnesota appeared to be related more to underlying mental health conditions than recent COVID-19. These findings highlight the need to better understand functional tic-like behaviors and adolescent mental health.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on incidence of tics in children and young people: a population-based cohort study.

Background: Since the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, clinicians have reported an increase in presentations of sudden and new onset tics particularly affecting teenage girls. This population-based study aimed to describe and compare the incidence of tics in children and young people in primary care before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in England. Methods: We used information from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) Aurum dataset and included males and females aged 4-11 years and 12-18 years between Jan 1, 2015, and Dec 31, 2021. We grouped the pre-pandemic period (2015-2019) and presented the pandemic years (2020, 2021) separately. We described the characteristics of children and young people with a first record of a motor or vocal tic in each time period. Incidence rates of tics by age-sex groups in 2015-2019, 2020, and 2021 were calculated. Negative binomial regression models were used to calculate incidence rate ratios. Findings: We included 3,867,709 males and females aged 4-18 years. Over 14,734,062 person-years of follow-up, 11,245 people had a first tic record during the whole study period. The characteristics of people with tics differed over time, with the proportion of females aged 12-18 years and the proportion with mental health conditions including anxiety increasing during the pandemic. Tic incidence rates per 10,000 person-years were highest for 4-11-year-old males in all three time periods (13.4 [95% confidence interval 13.0-13.8] in 2015-2019; 13.2 [12.3-14.1] in 2020; 15.1 [14.1-16.1] in 2021) but increased markedly during the pandemic in 12-18-year-old females, from 2.5 (2.3-2.7) in 2015-2019, to 10.3 (9.5-11.3) in 2020 and 13.1 (12.1-14.1) in 2021. There were smaller increases in incidence rates in 12-18-year-old males (4.6 [4.4-4.9] in 2015-2019; 4.7 [4.1-5.3] in 2020; 6.2 [5.5-6.9] in 2021) and 4-11-year-old females (4.9 [4.7-5.2] in 2015-2019; 5.7 [5.1-6.4] in 2020; 7.6 [6.9-8.3] in 2021). Incidence rate ratios comparing 2020 and 2021 with 2015-2019 were highest in the 12-18-year-old female subgroup (4.2 [3.6-4.8] in 2020; 5.3 [4.7-6.0] in 2021). Interpretation: The incidence of tics in children and young people increased across all age and sex groups during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a differentially large effect in teenage girls (a greater than four-fold increase). Furthermore, in those with tic symptoms, proportions with mental health disorders including anxiety increased during the pandemic. Further research is required on the social and contextual factors underpinning this rise in onset of tics in teenage girls. Funding: National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre.

Functional tic-like behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic: Follow-up over 12 months.

Background: Functional tics are included in the wide spectrum of functional movement disorders (FMDs). Their distinction from organic tics is challenging because they both phenomenologically present common features. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in functional tic-like behaviours in vulnerable children and adolescents after social media exposure. This study explores the phenomenology and course of a cohort of newly diagnosed functional tic-like behaviors. Methods: We analysed clinical data of 243 patients affected by tic disorders collected at outpatient Tourette Clinic, Child and Adolescent Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Catania University. Among the clinical cohort with functional tic-like behaviors, we evaluated the clinical course of symptoms at follow-up visits after 6 and 12 months. Results: Among the cohort of 243 patients referred for evaluation at our centre, 11 were diagnosed with functional tic-like behaviours. The majority of participants with functional tic-like behaviours were female with a mean age of 15 years old and presented an explosive symptom's onset. At follow-up visit after 12 months, patients with functional tic-like behaviors showed a significant variation in the severity of tics and anxiety symptoms. Conversely, depressive, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms did not significantly differ during the follow-up. Conclusion: Our data suggest that several characteristics in clinical course and their phenomenology can help clinicians to distinguish functional tic-like behaviours from organic tics. Our results also suggest a better outcome for tics and anxiety symptoms respect on other comorbidities. A prompt diagnosis and management not only of tics but also comorbidities are recommended, as generally conventional pharmacotherapy for tics does not have positive effects on these patients.

TikTok Tourette's: Are We Witnessing a Rise in Functional Tic-Like Behavior Driven by Adolescent Social Media Use?

Perceptions of Tourette syndrome (TS) and tic disorders are often driven by social media. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social media consumption greatly increased, particularly in the adolescent population. In parallel with increased social media consumption, there has also been an increase in tic severity and functional tic-like behavior (FTLB). Given that many of the tic videos posted on social media are misleading, perpetuate false beliefs about TS, or reinforce tic-like behaviors, there is increasing concern that these videos are driving the rapid increase in FTLBs. Several studies have reviewed newly presenting cases of FTLB and have found shared characteristics, including that a higher proportion of affected individuals are female, there is a low proportion with a history of childhood or family tics, and symptom onset is typically acute and develops in the teenage years. In addition, the quality of the tics seen in association with FTLB mirrors many of the tics seen on popular social media channels, with higher rates of coprophenomena, tic attacks, and involvement of the trunk and extremities than is seen with typical tics. FTLBs are likely a specific subgroup of functional tics largely influenced by the portrayal of and growing popularity of functional tics posted on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, several factors, including increased anxiety, social isolation, and social media use in general during the pandemic are likely also contributing factors to the surge of FTLBs seen recently. In this era of increased social media consumption, it will become increasingly important for clinicians to educate patients about where and how medical information is spread, to ensure the best possible diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for patients.

Rapid onset functional tic-like disorder outbreak: A challenging differential diagnosis in the COVID-19 pandemic

(French) Durant la pandemie de la COVID-19, plusieurs pays ont observe une hausse inattendue du nombre d'adolescents et de jeunes adultes presentant des comportements fonctionnels de type tic a apparition rapide apres avoir ete exposes au contenu des medias sociaux d'autres personnes affichant un modele semblable de tics fonctionnels. Nombre de ces patients ont ete adresses a des cliniques de trouble du mouvement avec des diagnostics fautifs de syndrome de Tourette refractaire d'apparition tardive apres avoir echoue a differents traitements pharmacologiques pour les tics. Le syndrome de Tourette est un trouble bin connu dont les criteres diagnostiques cliniques sont clairs et qui presente le debut insidieux de simples tics moteurs et phoniques dans une evolution rostro-caudale au debut de l'enfance. Les aspects cliniques et demographiques peuvent differencier l'apparition rapide de comportements fonctionnels de type tic du syndrome de Tourette, notamment parce que les premiers ont une presentation abrupte et explosive de symptomes graves, apparaissent a un age plus avance, ont une predominance chez le sexe feminin, manquent de suppressibilite, anxiete et depression comorbides, envie premonitoire atypique et antecedents d'exposition au contenu des medias sociaux affichant des comportements de type tic. Cette nouvelle presentation d'un trouble neurologique fonctionnel peut s'expliquer en partie par la relation entre l'exposition aux comportements de type tic dans les medias sociaux et la reponse inadaptee a l'anxiete causee par les stresseurs de la vie (p. ex., pandemie de la COVID-19), surtout chez les jeunes personnes. Les comportements fonctionnels de type tic a apparition rapide peuvent etre consideres comme un trouble neuropsychiatrique qui se propage et qui est potentiellement favorise par l'effet psychosocial cause par la pandemie de la COVID-19. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

CINEBOT: MORE THAN JUST A ROBOT, A LABORATORY

This work reports the design, construction and deployment of a mechatronic system, which, combined with a computer vision module, provides students and teachers with a tool to experience with concepts of kinematics of a particle throughout the usage of a robot, known as to Cinebot, which can be controlled from any smart device endowed with a stable internet connection. The methodology used for envisioning and developing the system was engineering design. The figure of merits of the prototype was evaluated under a linear motion scheme with constant speed (~0.10 m/s), showing errors between 0.08 and 3.2%. © GKA Ediciones, authors.

Innovación educativa a través de tecnologías de la información y comunicación: estudio de caso en un curso de investigación formativa

This research describes educational innovation through information and communication technologies and proposes a case study in a formative research course where the Covid-19 pandemic led to the need to rethink the entire teaching-learning process. The research was of the non-experimental type with a mixed approach (qualitative and quantitative) and a descriptive scope. The analyzed course was taught in person and at the beginning of the pandemic it became a virtual course where the class was developed through Zoom and with the support of an educational platform in Canvas. However, the course has been redesigned to be carried out in an asynchronous modality, where the teacher fulfills a function of accompaniment and virtual advice. Likewise, the course has included gamification strategies where the student can obtain badges depending on their progress. In conclusion, it has been possible to demonstrate how information and communication technologies facilitate educational innovation for a correct design and implementation of virtual learning environments. © 2021 Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions. All rights reserved.

The changing landscape of childhood tic disorders following COVID-19.

The article describes classification, aetiology and features of typical tic disorders (Tourette syndrome) and their management with an additional focus on a surge in atypical tic presentations following the COVID-19 pandemic, often described as functional tics, or functional tic-like movements. We discuss what explains their atypical nature and what might underpin this increase in incidence. Lastly the article provides an overview of management of functional tics, so readers can understand how management of these differs from typical tic disorders.

Aproximaciones a las políticas educativas en la escena global de la postpandemia COVID-19: Órgano Divulgativo del Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Políticos y Administrativos de la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad del Zulia

The COVID 19 pandemic had an unusual multidimensional impact on humanity as a whole, creating or recreating new or renewed forms of relationship between people, communities and the state, as an articulating entity of social relations and spaces of human development. In this context, the general use of ICTs in teaching-learning processes at all levels of the educational system is common, to the detriment of the person-to-person encounter affected by social distancing. The objective of the article is to describe a useful conceptual framework to redefine educational policies in accordance with the new realities that characterize post-pandemic scenarios in Ecuador. Methodologically it is a documentary, analytical and prospective research. The authors conclude that investment in education is considered urgent since its material and symbolic spaces mean for the majority of young people the most legitimate opportunity to train, achieve better opportunities and ascend socially, a situation that reduces the dynamics of social conflict.Alternate :La pandemia de COVID 19 tuvo un impacto multidimensional inusitado en la humanidad en su conjunto creando o recreando en su decurso nuevas o renovadas formas de relación entre las personas, las comunidades y el estado, en tanto ente articulador de las relaciones sociales y de los espacios de desarrollo humano. En este contexto, es usual el uso general de las TICs en los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje en todos los niveles del sistema educativo, en detrimento del encuentro persona a persona afectado por el distanciamiento social. El objetivo del artículo consiste en describir un marco conceptual útil para redefinir las políticas educativas acordes con las nuevas realidades que caracterizan en Ecuador los escenarios postpandémicos. Metodológicamente se trata de una investigación documental, analíticas y prospectiva. Los autores concluyen que la inversión en educación se plantea como urgente ya que sus espacios materiales y simbólicos significan para la mayoría de los jóvenes la oportunidad más legitima para formarse, alcanzar mejores oportunidades y ascender socialmente, situación que reduce las dinámicas de conflictividad social.

Perceptions of Parents and Caregivers in New Zealand: Educational Experiences of their Children with Tourette Syndrome

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder estimated to affect around 1% of children worldwide. Although advances in pharmacological and behavioural treatments appear promising, there is a paucity of research, especially in New Zealand, where little is known about parents' and caregivers' attitudes and experiences. The current study aimed to explore parents' and caregivers' attitudes and experiences of education for their child diagnosed with TS in New Zealand. Participants were also asked about any changes in tics during the COVID- 19 lockdowns. Parents with a child diagnosed with TS and members of the Tourette's Association New Zealand's patient support association were recruited for the survey. In total, 75 parents agreed to participate in the anonymous online survey during February and March 2021. A thematic analysis of participants' qualitative responses was completed. Five distinct themes emerged from the data: (1) Accommodations (2) Separate Space (3) Tics' interference with Learning (4) Tics and COVID- 19 Lockdown, and (5) Recommendations. Understanding parents' attitudes towards and experiences with TS is essential when identifying recommendations for school personnel, peer educational programs and clinical pathways in New Zealand. Suggestions for future research are discussed.

The COVID-19 pandemic and children with PANS/PANDAS: an evaluation of symptom severity, telehealth, and vaccination hesitancy.

The current study assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with PANS/PANDAS, a condition characterized by sudden-onset obsessive-compulsive, tic, or restrictive eating symptoms following infection. We conducted an anonymous survey between February and June 2021 of 254 self-reported caregivers of minors with PANS/PANDAS. Caregivers answered questions regarding PANS/PANDAS symptoms, telehealth care, and intention to vaccinate their child against COVID-19. PANS/PANDAS symptoms during COVID-19 infections were assessed when applicable. Children's OCD symptoms and coercive behaviors towards caregivers, along with the caregivers' mental health, relationship satisfaction, and burden, were assessed using standardized questionnaires. A majority of respondents endorsed a negative impact on their child's friendships, relationships with extended family, hobbies, and academic skills due to the pandemic. Children with suspected or diagnosed COVID-19 experienced new or worsened psychiatric symptoms, particularly mood lability, OCD, and anxiety. Telehealth care was the preferred treatment modality if the child had mild symptoms of PANS/PANDAS. A majority of caregivers reported high levels of relationship dissatisfaction and caregiver burden. As expected, these data suggest an overall negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with PANS/PANDAS and their caregivers.

Análisis sobre el uso de la tecnología en el proceso educativo de la Psicología durante la pandemia Covid-19 considerando la ciencia de datos

Desde la aparición de la pandemia Covid-19, los docentes están actualizando las actividades escolares de los cursos con el apoyo de las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación (TICs). El objetivo de esta investigación mixta es analizar el impacto sobre el uso de la tecnología en el proceso educativo de la Psicología considerando la ciencia de datos y el aprendizaje automático (regresión lineal). Los participantes son 77 estudiantes de la Facultad de Psicología que cursaron la asignatura Método Clínico en la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México durante el ciclo escolar 2020. Los resultados del aprendizaje automático indican que el uso de Zoom, Moodle, audios y Padlet durante el proceso educativo sobre la observación e indagación en Psicología Clínica influyen positivamente la asimilación del conocimiento y la motivación de los estudiantes. Asimismo, la ciencia de datos identifica 8 modelos predictivos sobre el uso de la tecnología en el proceso educativo de la Psicología por medio de la técnica árbol de decisión. En conclusión, las TICs permiten construir nuevos espacios educativos que facilitan el proceso de aprendizaje desde cualquier lugar, permiten la participación activa de los estudiantes en cualquier momento y satisfacen la demanda educativa durante la pandemia Covid-19.Alternate :Since the appearance of the Covid-19 pandemic, teachers are updating the school activities of the courses with the support of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The aim of this mixed research is to analyze the students' perceptions about the use of technology in the Clinical Method course considering data science (machine learning) through linear regression and decision tree techniques. The participants are 77 students from the Faculty of Psychology who took the Clinical Method course at the National Autonomous University of Mexico during the 2020 school year. The results of the machine learning technique indicate that the use of Zoom, Moodle, audios and Padlet during the educational process about observation and inquiry in Clinical Psychology positively influence the assimilation of knowledge and motivation of the students. Likewise, data science identifies 8 predictive models about the use of these technological tools in the educational process through the decision tree technique. In conclusion, ICTs allow the construction of new educational spaces that facilitate the learning process from anywhere, allow the active participation of the students at any time and satisfy the educational demand during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Prognosis of rapid onset functional tic-like behaviors: Prospective follow-up over 6 months.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The prognosis of rapid onset functional tic-like behaviors (FTLBs) is unknown. This prospective cohort study describes the course and treatment of rapid onset FTLBs in adolescents (n = 20) and adults (n = 9) previously reported in two case series. METHODS: Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) scores were compared between first clinical presentation and 6-month follow-up assessment. All treatments used for FTLBs and any psychiatric comorbidities were recorded. RESULTS: In adolescents with FTLBs, motor tics, vocal tics, total tics, impairment, and global scores on the YGTSS significantly improved at 6 months, with a mean decrease in the YGTSS global score of 31.9 points, 95% confidence interval (CI) 15.4, 48.4, p = .0005. In adults with FTLBs, only impairment and global scores significantly improved, with a mean decrease in the YGTSS global score of 19.6 points, 95% CI -3.2, 42.3, p = .04. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety and depression were the most used treatment in both age groups. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study suggests that adolescents have a better prognosis than adults with FTLBs. Management of comorbidities with SSRIs and CBT seems effective.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on tic symptoms in children and young people: a prospective cohort study.

To understand how children and young people with tic disorders were affected by COVID-19, we compared pre and during pandemic scores on the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS). Participants were young people (N = 112; male:78%; 9-17 years) randomised to the control arm of the "ORBIT-Trial" (ISRCTN70758207, ClinicalTrials.gov-NCT03483493). For this analysis, the control arm was split into two groups: one group was followed up to 12-months' post-randomisation before the pandemic started (pre-COVID group, n = 44); the other group was impacted by the pandemic at the 12-month follow-up (during-COVID group, n = 47). Mixed effects linear regression modelling was conducted to explore differences in YGTSS at 6- and 12-months post-randomisation. There were no significant differences in tic symptom or severity between participants who were assessed before and during COVID-19. This finding was not influenced by age, gender, symptoms of anxiety or autism spectrum disorder. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly impact existing tic symptoms.