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| Using Descriptive and Functional Analysis Procedures to Evaluate the Effects of Stimulant Medication on Response Allocation |
| Monday, May 31, 2004 |
| 9:00 AM–10:20 AM |
| Beacon E |
| Area: BPH/DDA; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: Robert LaRue (Marcus Institute) |
| Discussant: John A. Northup (University of Iowa) |
| Abstract: . |
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| An Evaluation of the Effects of Stimulant Medication During Times of Play in Children with ADHD |
| ANDREA L. RIDGWAY (Marcus Institute), John A. Northup (University of Iowa), Robert LaRue (Marcus University), Laura Fountain (Louisiana State University), Angie Pellegrin (Louisiana State University) |
| Abstract: Psychomotor stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for the treatment of ADHD in children. Although stimulants are generally regarded as safe and effective, there is concern that potential problems may be overlooked, specifically regarding their effect on social and play behavior. Two studies were conducted with the purpose of evaluating the effects of stimulant medications on the social behavior of preschool children with ADHD during various play activities. Medication dose was alternated between their prescribed dose and a placebo in a multielement design. Pronounced alterations in social behavior were observed for several participants while taking their prescribed dose of stimulant medication. Additionally, significant medication effects were observed for a number of anxiety behaviors, such as nail and lip biting, skin picking, and hand wringing. These findings are consistent with prior studies suggesting that stimulant medications may have detrimental effects that may be most noticeable during activities involving play. These findings suggest that greater attention may need to be directed to the assessment of children’s social behavior in unstructured or free play settings in both applied medication assessment and initial trials of clinical efficacy. The potential implications of overlooked social side effects of stimulant medication are discussed. |
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| Psychotropic Medication as an Establishing Operation: The Effects of Stimulants on Value of Social Reinforcers |
| ROBERT LARUE (Marcus Institute), John A. Northup (University of Iowa), Tara Williams (Louisiana State University), Lauren Seale (Louisiana State University), Andrea L. Ridgway (Marcus Institute) |
| Abstract: The purpose of the current investigation was to observe the effects of stimulant medications of the reinforcing effectiveness of social activities of children diagnosed with ADHD. Five preschool children enrolled in a summer research program participated in the current study. Each participant had previously been diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed stimulant medication by an independent psychiatrist. Medication dose was alternated in a semi-random manner between placebo and the prescribed stimulant medication dose. A reinforcer assessment was conducted daily for all participants throughout the investigation. During each assessment, children were provided with the opportunity to earn three different types of reinforcers: playing with friends for two minutes (i.e., social play), playing alone for two minutes (i.e., nonsocial play) and quiet time for two minutes (i.e., no playing, no social contact). The results of this study show that two of the participants allocated fewer responses to peer play while taking stimulant medication. There was corresponding increase in the number of alone play coupons selected in these two participants as well. These findings are consistent with prior literature suggesting that stimulant medications may influence the reinforcing effectiveness of social reinforcers. The potential implications for designing effective treatments for children with ADHD are discussed. |
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| The Effects of Stimulant Medication on Response Allocation: A Double-blind Analysis |
| JOANNA LOMAS (Marcus Institute), Wayne W. Fisher (Marcus Institute), Michael E. Kelley (Marcus Institute), Percy Milligan (Marcus Institute), Thomasina Bridgeford (Marcus Institute) |
| Abstract: Researchers have begun to examine the effects of stimulant medications in relation to the operant functions or mechanisms involved in those behaviors. We extended this literature on the interaction between operant mechanisms and stimulant medication in the current study by evaluating the effects stimulant medication on response allocation between appropriate behavior (compliance) and disruptive behavior that was reinforced by escape and tangible reinforcement. During daily sessions, the participant received reinforcement (20 s of escape with tangible reinforcement) for either compliance or disruptive behavior on concurrent FR 1 FR 1 schedules. Across days, the participant received either 20 mg Adderall of or placebo in accordance with a multielement design. Results indicated that the participant allocated almost all of his responding to compliance during days when active medication was delivered and allocated more responding to disruptive behavior during days when placebo was delivered. These results are discussed in terms of bio-behavioral interactions that may be relevant to understanding and treating disruptive behavior disorders. |
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