title: Examining the relationship between heart rate and problem behavior: a case study of severe skin picking in Prader-Willi syndrome.
abstract: Few studies have examined the relationship between heart rate and self-injurious behavior (SIB) shown by individuals with IDD (intellectual and developmental disabilities). In this single-case study, we simultaneously monitored heart rate and activity levels during a functional analysis of severe skin picking behavior exhibited by a young man with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Results of the functional analysis indicated that the participant's skin picking was maintained by automatic reinforcement. A within-session analysis of the data indicated that skin picking bouts resulted in an increase in heart rate, suggesting a positive- automatic reinforcement function. These data indicate that inclusion of heart rate and activity-level monitoring during a functional analysis may provide important additional information concerning the determinants of SIB.
authors.forename: Scott S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hammond
authors.forename: Kristin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Hustyi
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011218:Prader-Willi Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries