Habit reversal training

Habit reversal training (HRT) is a "multicomponent behavioral treatment package originally developed to address a wide variety of repetitive behavior disorders".^[1]

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Behavioral disorders treated with HRT include tics, trichotillomania, nail biting, thumb sucking, and skin picking.^[2] It consists of five components:^[1]

awareness training,
competing response training,
contingency management,
relaxation training, and
generalization training.

In the case of tics, these components are intended to increase tic awareness, develop a competing response to the tic, and build treatment motivation and compliance.^[1] Controlled trials have demonstrated that HRT is an acceptable, tolerable, effective and durable treatment for tics.^[1]

References and notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Piacentini JC, Chang SW. Behavioral treatments for tic suppression: habit reversal training. Adv Neurol. 2006;99:227–33. PMID 16536370
^ Azrin NH, Nunn RG. Habit-reversal: a method of eliminating nervous habits and tics. Behav Res Ther. 1973 Nov;11(4):619–28. PMID 4777653 As reported in Piacentini JC, Chang SW. Behavioral treatments for tic suppression: habit reversal training. Adv Neurol. 2006;99:227–33. PMID 16536370