Reducing severe diurnal bruxism in two profoundly retarded females

Several diurnal audible teeth grinding (bruxism) was found to affect 21.5% of a profoundly retarded population. However, no previous research has treated bruxism in retarded individuals. In the current study a multiple baseline across subjects design was used to assess the effectiveness of contingent "icing," brief contingent tactile applications of ice, as a treatment for bruxism. Three 15-minute treatment periods and two 5-minute generalization periods were conducted 5 days per week. One resident displayed a 95% reduction in the percentage of intervals during which bruxism occurred during treatment periods and a 67% reduction during generalization periods. The other resident displayed a 94% reduction in the percentage of intervals during which bruxism occurred during treatment periods and a 53% reduction during generalization periods.