Related Experiment Videos
[A new method of treating encopresis]
1Children's Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Center, Israel Ministry of Health, Beer Sheba.
Insights
This study successfully treated childhood defecation disorders using operant conditioning and glycerine suppositories. The combined approach established normal toilet habits and improved behavior in all participants, with no relapses observed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Behavioral Therapy
Context:
- Childhood defecation disorders, including chronic constipation, soiling, and toilet refusal, are common.
- 17 children aged 2.5-6 years with these issues were treated.
Purpose:
- To establish regular, normal toilet habits in children with defecation disturbances.
- To investigate the efficacy of operant conditioning combined with glycerine suppositories.
Summary:
- Children received operant conditioning techniques and glycerine suppositories for an average of one week.
- Suppositories acted as a stimulus for defecation, enabling controlled timing for behavioral modification.
- Therapists shaped appropriate toilet behavior and addressed fearful or oppositional responses.
Impact:
- The treatment was successful in all 17 children, resolving defecation disorders.
- No relapses were reported post-treatment.
- Most children experienced general behavioral improvements alongside improved bowel habits.
Abstract:
The treatment program described was designed to establish regular, normal toilet habits in children suffering from disturbances of defecation, including chronic constipation, frequent soiling and refusal to sit on the toilet. 17 children, aged 2.5-6 years were referred during 1988. 1 had a prolapsed rectum while the other 16 had no physiological anomaly but exhibited general negativism in addition to their bowel problems. They were treated with operant conditioning techniques combined with the use of glycerine suppositories. The use of suppositories lasted an average of 1 week (range 1-35 days). The suppositories served as a discriminative stimulus for defecation, ensured daily rectal evacuation under controlled conditions, and allowed the therapist to control timing of bowel movements. Control of timing is necessary so that the therapist can correct dysfunctional defecation directly by shaping and positively reinforcing appropriate toilet behavior, and by eliminating fearful and oppositional responses. Treatment was successful in all and there were no relapses. For most of the children there was also general behavioral improvement.