Characterising Sleep Disorders in Children With Tourette Syndrome

Healthy sleep is essential for a young person's growth, development, and wellbeing. It is estimated that up to 80% of young people with Tourette Syndrome experience sleep difficulties. Tourette Syndrome is a neurological condition that causes sudden, unwanted, and repeated motor movements and vocal sounds, known as tics. Previous studies have shown that children with this condition have poorer sleep quality, specifically increased awakenings and difficulties falling or staying asleep. These challenges highlight the need to better understand sleep problems in young people with Tourette Syndrome.

This study will assess whether children's tics affect their sleep quality by measuring how often tics occur during sleep and how severe they are. To do this, the investigators will use a new Tic index to measure the impact of tics during an overnight sleep study. A watch like device that tracks movement and light levels will also be employed to help estimate when someone is asleep or awake. Together, these measures enable a clear comparison between the sleep of children with Tourette Syndrome and those without. Children will also complete a questionnaire to gain insights into their personal experiences and how they perceive tics to influence their sleep.

The specific objectives include:

1. Compare the sleep patterns of children with Tourette syndrome (TS) to those of children without TS, to see whether tics are linked to any differences in sleep. 2. Assess how accurately the tic measurements identify tics during sleep, to see whether they could be useful in future research. 3. Explore whether tic activity changes during different stages of sleep in children with TS. 4. Look at how the results from sleep recordings (such as movement monitors and tic measurements) relate to questionnaire responses about sleep and tics.

Results from this study can be used to support future research that continues to improve the management and treatment of sleep problems in Tourette Syndrome children.