Below is a list of current research projects supported by Tourettes Action which we welcome you to participate in.

Lived Experience of TS 

Exploring the success of pharmacological vs art-based intervention

This study focuses on the lived experiences of 18–25-year-old adults with TS including their self-identity and approaches to self-care. It will investigate the economic and social pressures that individuals face due to their tics, including greater unemployment rates, more strain on social and familial relationships and avoidance of large public spaces. Participants will be asked to question on the pressure to supress tics, tic sensations, attitude to tics- whether humour is used as a coping strategy and intervention attitudes. Social and resultant economic pressures can reduce access to interventions, as well as people’s perceptions of and ability to engage with such interventions.

Please click this link for more information and to take part

Diversity and Productivity

The Inclusion Initiative at The London School of Economics have been awarded £2million by the Economics and Social Research council to investigate the relationship between Diversity and Productivity.

They are conducting interviews across banking & finance, professional services, technology, retail, manufacturing and public services to better understand what helps and hinders productivity in the workplace. Based on their findings from 200 people they seek to develop cost-effective interventions that can be tested and applied by firms to maximise diversity, inclusion and productivity. 

Please click this link for more information and to take part

Sleep Traits in Tourette Syndrome

The project from University of Reading  aims to investigate the potential relationships between morningness-eveningness (i.e.: chronotype/being more of a 'morning person' or more of an 'evening person'), delaying sleep (bedtime procrastination), rumination (overthinking), and traits within the Tourette Syndrome spectrum. Additionally, possible relationships with time spent using electronic devices, depression, sleep quality, and use of stimulants (caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol) will also be investigated.

Please click this link for more information and to take part

Exploring the urge to tic in TS

A new research study from University of Nottingham. The aim of this study is to explore which regions of the brain are involved in feelings of urge prior to tics using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Please click this link for more information and to take part

Understanding the expression of everyday vocal and motor tics in adults

A cross-disciplinary team from the University of Hertfordshire is looking for adult participants (aged 18 or over) who have a confirmed diagnosis or have self-identified as having a Chronic Tic Disorder (such as Tourette Syndrome) to join an exploratory workshop. The workshop is a chance for researchers and participants to meet to co-propose how everyday tics may be captured in adults.

Please click this link for more information and to take part

Evaluating healthcare professionals experiences of assessing and treating tics in children and young people in the UK

The research team from the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences at University of Nottingham invite healthcare professionals to take part in their latest research study. This study is mapping the provision of tic services in different geographical regions of England and evaluating the barriers and facilitators to providing tic services for children and young people, experienced by healthcare professionals.

Please click this link for more information and to take part

Investigating the levels of social anxiety within the TS population

Student Researcher Alice Rhodes, from the University of Sussex invites you to take part in a study to further understanding of social anxiety processes in those with TS or a tic disorder.

This research will attempt to collect data on five specific cognitive processes associated with social anxiety to comprehensively answer the question of what effect self-focused attention processes have on post-event processing.

Please click this link for more information and to take part

You can read about previous research projects in our Archive section

Want to know who's behind the research?  Read about our researchers and the studies they are pioneering here