Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
05:33
Ear Plaster Therapy as a Safe and Effective Treatment for Gestational Vomiting
Published on: August 4, 2023
The punishment of persistent vomiting: a case study
1University of Washington.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|January 1, 1970
Summary
Contingent shock therapy effectively reduced severe vomiting in a patient with intellectual disability by decreasing stomach tensions and associated vomitus, leading to significant weight gain.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral psychology
- Clinical psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Severe vomiting can be a debilitating symptom in individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- Traditional interventions may not always be effective for managing severe vomiting in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of contingent electroshock as an intervention for severe vomiting in a patient with intellectual disability.
- To assess the impact of contingent shock on pre-vomiting responses and overall vomitus production.
Main Methods:
- A single-patient study was conducted involving a mentally retarded patient experiencing severe vomiting.
- Electroshock was administered immediately following each detected stomach tension, a pre-vomiting indicator.
- The rate of stomach tensions and the amount of emitted vomitus were systematically recorded.
Main Results:
- Following the implementation of contingent shock, there was an initial transient increase in stomach tensions.
- Subsequently, a significant decrease in the rate of stomach tensions was observed.
- A notable reduction in emitted vomitus occurred, leading to a positive weight gain for the patient.
Conclusions:
- Contingent electroshock can be an effective, albeit intensive, method for controlling severe vomiting in individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- The intervention demonstrated success in reducing both the physiological precursors (stomach tensions) and the behavioral outcome (vomitus).
- Observed weight gain suggests a positive impact on the patient's overall health and nutritional status.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
01:11Pyloric Obstruction
Pyloric obstruction, also referred to as gastric outlet obstruction, is a condition characterized by narrowing or blockage at the pylorus—the muscular valve regulating the flow of stomach contents into the duodenum. When this passage becomes impaired, the stomach cannot effectively empty its contents into the small intestine. This disruption leads to a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, including early satiety, bloating, epigastric pain, postprandial nausea, persistent vomiting, and...
01:07Intestinal Obstruction II: Pathophysiology
Intestinal obstruction triggers a series of physiological responses, starting with gas and fluid accumulation in the bowel segment proximal to the obstruction, leading to distension. This distended intestine compresses the diaphragm, hindering lung expansion and potentially leading to reduced respiratory effort, atelectasis, and pneumonia.To overcome the blockage, the gut intensifies contractions, causing colicky abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, which reduces fluid and food intake and...
01:14Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
In cases of acute poisoning, the primary objective is to prevent further absorption of the toxic substance into the body. Immediate interventions using various decontamination techniques targeting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can achieve this. Decontamination is crucial to prevent poison from entering the systemic circulation, which involves washing affected areas with water and mild soap and removing contaminated clothing. Once external decontamination is done, attention must be turned to...
01:26Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies
Treatment strategies for poisoning are a critical aspect of emergency medicine, focusing on preventing the absorption of toxins and enhancing their elimination. When a poisoning incident occurs, the first response is to halt exposure and decontaminate the patient, particularly through gastrointestinal (GI) methods if the poison was ingested.Gastrointestinal Decontamination Techniques:Activated charcoal is the cornerstone of GI decontamination. It works through adsorption, binding the toxin to...
01:28Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Esophageal perforations manifest in various clinical forms, influenced by factors such as the perforation's cause and location (cervical, intrathoracic, or intra-abdominal), the extent of contamination, and potential injury to adjacent mediastinal structures. The timing between the perforation occurrence and treatment initiation also affects the clinical presentation.
Clinical Manifestations:
Clinical Manifestations: