A comparison of two behavioral treatments in decreasing the orofacial movement of tardive dyskinesia

Abstract

In a study with an elderly female subject, two behavioral treatments were evaluated in terms of their effectiveness in decreasing orofacial movement associated with tardive dyskinesia. Video feedback and discreet-discrete prompting, a self-control procedure using a portable audio signal generator, were compared by means of an alternating treatments experimental design. Video and instructional controls were included in the study. Results indicated that both procedures were effective in decreasing orofacial movement. In addition, during the concluding phase of the study, a prompting card was carried by the subject at all times as a reminder to control mouth movements on an ongoing basis. This concluding phase resulted in generalization of treatment effects to the nontreatment environment. Follow-up sessions indicated maintenance of treatment effects.