Abstract Details

Title Social media consumption in adolescents with tics

Topic Movement Disorders

Presentation(s) P18 - Poster Session 18 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 5-007

Background Social media has an increasing role in disseminating information and driving perceptions of disease. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social media consumption greatly increased, particularly in adolescent populations. In parallel, there has been an increase in tic severity and explosive tic-like disorders.

Objective To explore the impact of social media behaviors in adolescents with tic disorders.

Design/Methods Adolescent patients with tics (ages 11-21) completed a 5-point Likert scale survey examining the value of various social media resources regarding their knowledge of tics. The survey also examined time spent on social media, tic frequency, tic severity, and quality of life (QOL) using a Patient Global Impressions of Change scale. Pearson correlation coefficient was used for statistical analysis.

Results Of the survey participants (N=20), 65% reported using social media at least 4-5 times per day (5.6 hours on average per day) and 90% reported increased use of social media during COVID. Only 5% of participants reported using social media for information or interactions regarding tics. Although 85% of respondents indicated that tic frequency worsened during COVID and 50% of respondents indicated that social media adversely impacted their tics, there was no significant correlation between social media use and self-reported frequency of tics at the time of the survey (R = -0.249, p = 0.289) or since the onset of COVID (R = -0.0055, p = 0.982). However, there was a statistically significant correlation between tic severity, QOL, and social media use during COVID (R = -0.496, -0.447, p = 0.026, 0.048, respectively).

Conclusions Social media use was frequent among surveyed adolescents with tics, and despite reports of limited tic-related social media use, we detected a significant correlation between tic severity and reduced QOL with increased social media use during COVID. We expect to enroll an additional 60 participants to further explore these associations.

Authors/Disclosures
Jessica Frey, MD (West Virginia University) PRESENTER	The institution of Dr. Frey has received research support from Tourette Association of America.
Tracy Tholanikunnel, MD	Dr. Tholanikunnel has nothing to disclose.
Heather Simpson (UF Health)	No disclosure on file
Irene Malaty, MD, FAAN (University of Florida)	Dr. Malaty has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as a Consultant for Abbvie. The institution of Dr. Malaty has received research support from Abbvie. The institution of Dr. Malaty has received research support from Revance. The institution of Dr. Malaty has received research support from Neuroderm. The institution of Dr. Malaty has received research support from Parkinson Foundation. The institution of Dr. Malaty has received research support from SAGE. The institution of Dr. Malaty has received research support from Emalex. Dr. Malaty has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Malaty has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a CME Speaker with Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Malaty has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Speaker & Center of Excellence Director with Parkinson Foundation. Dr. Malaty has a non-compensated relationship as a MAB member & Center of Excellence Directory with Tourette Association of America that is relevant to AAN interests or activities.