title: Reducing hyperactivity with a feedback actigraph: initial findings.
abstract: Schulman and colleagues demonstrated that classroom activity level can be reduced in hyperactive boys using activity-level feedback and positive reinforcement. This article reports preliminary results using a device that combines modern beeper and actigraphy technology for the purpose of measuring, monitoring, and modifying motor excess in children with confirmed diagnoses of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Nine boys ranging in age from 8 to 9 years with the ADHD Combined Type wore prototype BuzzBee feedback actigraphs during school periods and were reinforced for activity-level reductions in the context of a simple pre/post research design. The findings indicated that 7 of the 9 boys reduced their activity level from 20 to 47% of baseline levels while the activity levels of the two remaining boys increased from 2 to 7% of baseline levels. These changes were statistically significant and constitute a large effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Fordham University, Bronx, NY 10458-993, USA. wtryon@fordham.edu
authors.forename: Warren W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Tryon
authors.forename: Georgiana Shick
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Tryon
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kazlausky
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gruen
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Swanson
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000295:instrumentation; D005246:Feedback; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014732:Vibration
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants