(PS10-B47) Initial Testing and Iterative Development of an Interactive, Online, Self-guided Training Program to Treat Tic Disorders

Background: Tic disorders (TDs) are a class of childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by rapid, recurrent, involuntary, non-rhythmic movements and sounds (i.e., tics). The first-line recommended intervention for TDs is Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), an empirically-validated behavioral treatment. Although efficacious, CBIT is underutilized due in part to a lack of trained providers. The current gold-standard method of training therapists in CBIT, the Tourette Association of America’s Behavior Therapy training Institute, cannot meet therapist demands due to its limited scalability and time, cost, and resource requirements. CBIT-Trainer is an interactive, online, self-guided training program that was created to meet this demand and increase the dissemination and implementation of CBIT. This poster will describe and report on an implementation-based, iterative, two-phase process led by TD experts and stakeholders to develop and refine CBIT-Trainer. Methods: Phase I. 8 CBIT experts provided ratings of the content, usability, innovation, quality, and utility of a CBIT-Trainer platform prototype. A separate sample of 20 CBIT-naïve therapists provided ratings regarding the usefulness, dissemination potential, intuitiveness, and quality of the CBIT-Trainer prototype. A separate sample of 22 CBIT-naïve therapists provided ratings regarding the adoption potential and factors influencing the adoption of a refined version of CBIT-Trainer. Phase II. 9 CBIT experts provided ratings of features of an expanded version of CBIT-Trainer that was modified based on feedback provided in Phase I. A separate sample of 20 CBIT-naïve therapists will be asked to use the modified version of CBIT-Trainer for two weeks and provide ratings of its usability and feasibility. Results: Phase I. Acceptability and implementation ratings from the 8 CBIT experts exceeded a priori benchmarks (overall, 100% of the sample recommended further program development). Ratings of the 20 CBIT-naïve therapists exceeded a priori benchmarks (average ratings for all domains were > 3.5/4). Adoption factors were identified using a thematic analysis framework (cost, continuing education, support and consultation). Phase II. Data from CBIT experts were collected as of March 2023 and will be analyzed and coded using qualitative thematic analysis methods prior to November 2023. Ratings from the 20 CBIT-naïve participants will be collected by November 2023 and analyzed to identify the most salient factors of therapist adoption. Implications: Implications of data obtained from the current implementation-based, iterative, expert- and stakeholder-led development process of an interactive, self-guided, online training program for CBIT will extend beyond the treatment of TDs. In particular, the identification of factors related to therapist adoption will provide a framework for the successful dissemination and implementation of online training programs to treat a broad range of psychological disorders.