The Relative Efficacy of Methylphenidate (ritalin) and Behavior-modification Techniques in the Treatment of a Hyperactive Child

Overview

Journal J Appl Behav Anal

Specialty Social Sciences

Date 1977 Jan 1

PMID 321410

Citations 4

Authors

M Wulbert

R Dries

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Drug versus placebo effects were contrasted with those of contingency management in the treatment of a hyperactive child. Several criterion behaviors were monitored in two different settings to gauge the breadth and generalizability of drug and behavior-management effects. Medication and contingency management effects were both found to be situation specific. No interaction effects were found. Accuracy of task performance, amount of eye contact with the experimenters, frequency of repetitive hand movements, and distractible behavior were apparently unaffected by medication (Ritalin versus placebo) within the clinic. A multiple-baseline design incorporating contingency reversals revealed the reinforcement contingencies to be the crucial variable controlling behavior within the clinic. Medication effects were shown to be significant within the home setting where reinforcement contingencies were not changed. While aggressive behavior decreased as a function of Ritalin, repetitive hand movements increased.

Citing Articles

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Clinical behavioral pharmacology: methods for evaluating medications and contingency management.

Burgio L, Page T, Capriotti R J Appl Behav Anal. 1985; 18(1):45-59.

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The effectiveness of behavior modification on hyperkinesis.

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Behavioural treatment of hyperactive children.

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