Head-position training through biofeedback: prosthetic or cure?

This report investigates the effectiveness of biofeedback in the treatment of poor head-positioning in patients with cerebral palsy. Four patients were given feedback of head-position trainer: two were given 20 sessions, the other two were given 10 sessions followed by 10 sessions of social reinforcement. It was found that biofeedback produced significant changes in head control during therapy but that these did not transfer well to other situations, nor did it result in long-term positive improvement. The use of social reinforcement produced excellent and long-term gains. These results are discussed in terms of stimulus properties and reinforcement conditions. General implications of this study in relation to the generalisation and maintenance of behaviour change are also discussed.