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| BPN Saturday Poster Session: Odd-Numbered Posters |
| Saturday, May 28, 2022 |
| 1:00 PM–2:00 PM |
| Exhibit Level; Exhibit Hall A |
| Chair: Kelly M. Banna (Millersville University of Pennsylvania) |
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| 7. Applied Behavioural Pharmacology: A User’s Guide to the Literature |
| Area: BPN; Domain: Basic Research |
| NAZURAH KHOKHAR (Brock University), Alison Cox (Brock University) |
| Discussant: Kelly M. Banna (Millersville University of Pennsylvania) |
| Abstract: Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities may engage in problem behaviour that is unlikely to subside without intervention. As such, psychotropic medications are often prescribed to treat problem behaviours in this population. Applied behavioural pharmacology explores how drugs (i.e., psychotropic medications) may influence behaviour. Unfortunately, research in this area is scarce compared to how frequently psychotropic medications are used in practice. A systematic review on this topic featuring single case experimental designs, that also comments on study quality to inform the development of a guide to this literature is overdue. Studies included in the review featured participants:
• with a diagnosis of intellectual and developmental disabilities,
• with an identified problem behaviour that was an intervention target, and
• were receiving psychotropic medications to address problem behaviour.
56 articles met criteria and were coded and scored using a literature-informed Quality Indicator Checklist. Total checklist scores ranged between 32 and 81%, with a mean of 52%. This suggests room for improvement regarding the methodological rigour in applied behavioural pharmacology research. Barriers and possible solutions to improving study quality (rigour), as well as clinical and research implications of the results will be discussed. |
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| 9. A Clinical Comparison of Fixed and Escalating Incentive Schedules on Cocaine Abstinence in Contingency Management |
| Area: BPN; Domain: Applied Research |
| SEAN REGNIER (University of Kentucky), Justin Charles Strickland (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine), William Stoops (University of Kentucky College of Medicine) |
| Discussant: Kelly M. Banna (Millersville University of Pennsylvania) |
| Abstract: Aim: Contingency management (CM) interventions are the most effective psychosocial interventions for substance use disorders. However, there are several underdeveloped areas of CM research that require further investigation to create the most robust intervention possible. This study aimed to compare fixed versus escalating and resetting alternative reinforcers on cocaine abstinence in an outpatient trial.
Methods: The procedures discussed in this manuscript are from a randomized controlled trial aimed at demonstrating the effects of reduced cocaine use on cardiovascular, immune, and psychosocial function. In this analysis, thirty-four treatment-seeking individuals with Cocaine Use Disorder were provided either fixed incentives or escalating and resetting incentives. Within all conditions, participants received either high or low value incentives, or were in a non-contingent control group.
Results: Escalating and resetting reinforcer values did not have a differential effect on abstinence or consecutive negative urine samples compared to fixed values. Abstinence was best predicted by the magnitude of the incentive.
Conclusions: This study contributes to a limited body of literature on the comparative efficacy of fixed and escalating reinforcement schedules on drug abstinence. Future research comparing fixed and escalating schedules on cocaine abstinence in a randomized control trial with a larger sample size is required. |
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