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Suppression of pica using brief-duration physical restraint
Journal of Mental Deficiency Research
|June 1, 1983
Summary
Physical restraint effectively controls pica, a disorder involving eating non-food items. Shorter durations, like 10 seconds, were more effective than longer ones, offering a simple intervention.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Pica is a disorder characterized by the persistent eating of non-nutritive, non-food substances.
- Previous research (Bucher et al., 1976) indicated physical restraint could control pica.
Observation:
- This study investigated the efficacy of physical restraint as a sole intervention for pica.
- The study compared different durations of physical restraint (3s, 10s, 30s) using alternating treatments designs.
- The simplicity of the procedure and minimal training requirements were noted.
Findings:
- Physical restraint alone was effective in suppressing pica, corroborating earlier findings but without the need for verbal reprimands.
- A 10-second duration of physical restraint demonstrated greater efficacy compared to 3-second or 30-second durations.
- Pica initially increased in untreated settings but was subsequently controlled once treatment was applied.
- Picking and handling, a pica precursor, showed variable changes, with significant reductions observed.
Implications:
- Physical restraint presents a simple, equipment-free intervention for managing pica.
- Optimizing restraint duration (e.g., 10 seconds) may enhance treatment effectiveness.
- The findings suggest potential for widespread clinical application in managing pica behaviors.