Physical exercise as a reinforcer to promote calmness of an ADHD child

Behav Modif. 2006 Sep;30(5):564-70. doi: 10.1177/0145445504267952.

Abstract

Age-appropriate reinforcers have been found to be effective in promoting attentiveness and calmness with children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The present study with a 4-year-old ADHD boy found attentive calmness was substantially increased from a mean of about 3 seconds per trial to the maximum scheduled duration of 60 seconds by using a scheduled period of physical activity as the reinforcer for the attentive-calmness. These results suggest the possible use of this type of reinforcer as an addition or substitution for the usual reinforcers in contingency management with ADHD children.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / therapy*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Conditioning, Psychological
  • Exercise*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Reinforcement, Psychology*