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[Behavioral therapy of ticks with negative reinforcement in children]

T N Nabieva, E I Mukhin

    Zhurnal Nevrologii I Psikhiatrii Imeni S.S. Korsakova
    |October 24, 2003
    PubMed

    Insights

    Daily physical exercises strengthened muscles and reduced tic frequency in children. Consistent negative reinforcement through exercise eliminated tics in 20 days, highlighting effective behavioral therapy for tic disorders.

    Area of Science:

    • Neurology
    • Pediatrics
    • Behavioral Therapy

    Background:

    • Children with motor and vocal tics often exhibit muscle weakness and dystonia in affected areas.
    • Understanding the efficacy of targeted physical interventions is crucial for managing tic disorders.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the effectiveness of a 20-day physical exercise regimen in managing tics in children.
    • To compare the impact of daily exercise, negative reinforcement, and probable negative reinforcement on tic reduction.

    Main Methods:

    • Thirty-two children with motor and vocal tics were divided into three groups.
    • Group 1: Daily exercises for tic-prone muscles.
    • Group 2: Exercises as negative reinforcement after tic appearance.
    • Group 3: Irregular exercises as probable negative reinforcement after tic appearance.

    Main Results:

    • Daily exercises led to muscle strengthening and a decrease in tic frequency.
    • Consistent negative reinforcement (Group 2) resulted in complete tic elimination within 20 days.
    • Irregular reinforcement (Group 3) showed no significant change in pathological muscle activity.

    Conclusions:

    • Targeted physical exercises can strengthen muscles and reduce tic severity.
    • Consistent negative reinforcement using physical exercises is a highly effective behavioral therapy for childhood tics.
    • The study suggests the role of cortical plasticity in the behavioral treatment of tic disorders.

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