Reductions in self-injury produced by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is used to reduce pain but also may be useful for self-injurious behavior (SIB). In the current investigation, a microcurrent electromedical device, classified as a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS), was applied with a man with Down syndrome who displayed SIB that persisted in the absence of social contingencies. Although clinically significant results were not maintained, a clear difference in the rates of SIB during active and inactive TENS was observed.
Fisher
W W
WW
Neurobehavioral Unit, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
Bowman
L G
LG
Thompson
R H
RH
Contrucci
S A
SA
Burd
L
L
Alon
G
G
D000328:Adult; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D005108:Extinction, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000523:psychology