title: Computer-assisted measurement of wound size associated with self-injurious behavior.
abstract: We evaluated an inexpensive, efficient, and noninvasive technique for measuring tissue damage produced by self-injurious behavior (SIB). The technique involved computerized measurement of wound surface area (WSA) based on digital photographs. In Study 1, we compared photographic measurement to a more commonly used procedure, transparency measurement, in estimating WSA of 20 wound models. Results showed that both methods were reliable and that there was a high degree of correspondence between the 2 sets of measures. In Study 2, we compared photographic WSA measures to direct-observation measures in documenting changes over time in the SIB exhibited by a woman with Prader-Willi syndrome. Results showed that increases and decreases in observed SIB during baseline and treatment conditions corresponded with changes in WSA measures, indicating that the computer-assisted photographic technique may be useful as a corroborative measure or as a primary measure when direct observation of SIB is not feasible.
authors: Georgian Court University, USA.
authors: David M
authors: DM
authors: Wilson
authors: Brian A
authors: BA
authors: Iwata
authors: Sarah E
authors: SE
authors: Bloom
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods*; D011218:Prader-Willi Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000150:complications*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: differential reinforcement; functional analysis; injury measurement; self-injurious behavior