Suppression of pica using brief-duration physical restraint

The present study supported the finding of Bucher et al. (1976) that physical restraint can control pica. However, unlike the earlier study which additionally used a verbal reprimand, physical restraint alone was shown to be effective. Further, this study showed that while all three durations of physical restraint suppressed pica, the duration of 10 s was more effective than either 30 s used with one subject, or 3 s used with the other in alternating treatments designs. The procedure proved simple to use, took minimal staff training time, and required no equipment. During treatment some increase in pica was observed in settings where treatment had not yet been applied but later treatment in these settings quickly controlled the behaviour. Collateral behaviours were largely unaffected except for picking and handling, a precursor for pica, which showed variable changes, with reductions being the only large changes.