Examining clinical trial results with single-subject analysis: an example involving behavioral and nutrition treatment for young children with cystic fibrosis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the process of change in a clinical trial of behavioral and nutrition treatment for children age 18-48 months with cystic fibrosis (CF) using single-subject analysis.


METHODS
The 5-week treatment included nutrition counseling and child behavioral management training for parents and was designed to increase energy intake measured by diet diaries 600-800 calories per day.


RESULTS
Energy intake changed at each meal, only when treatment was introduced (week 1: snacks, 420 to 691; week 2: breakfast, 325 to 443; week 4: lunch, 350 to 443; and week 5: dinner, 373 to 460 calories per day). Total daily intake increased in a systematic fashion that exceeded the criterion set each week during treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Toddlers and preschoolers with CF meet energy intake recommendations as a result of behavioral intervention. Single-subject research designs are important methodologies for advancing clinical investigation in pediatric psychology.
Powers
Scott W
SW
Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Center for Child Behavior and Nutrition Research, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039, USA. scott.powers@cchmc.org
Piazza-Waggoner
Carrie
C
Jones
Julie S
JS
Ferguson
Kathleen S
KS
Daines
Cori
C
Acton
James D
JD
D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016487:Parenting