Behavioral and Dietary Management for Adults with Prader–Willi Syndrome in a Residential Setting

Abstract

We present a program evaluation wherein archival data collected at The Arc of Alachua County (The AArc) was evaluated to determine the effects of a comprehensive treatment package on the management of weight and behavior in adults with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Data from 4 individuals with PWS who participated in The AArc’s Program over a span of 6 years were collected. Data were analyzed in four phases: a descriptive analysis providing a summary of the characteristics of the individuals, a two-tailed paired sample T test to evaluate the change in weight, analyses of behavioral topographies using Wilcoxon’s matched pairs tests, and a calculation of clinical significance using percent-reduction for behavioral topographies inappropriate for statistical analysis due to small sample sizes. Analyses showed a statistically significant reduction in weight, food stealing, tantrum behavior, skin picking, and self-injury. Behavior not included in the statistical analysis due to small sample sizes showed clinically significant reductions. Although the analyses were conducted with archival data, the treatment package implemented in The AArc’s PWS program suggests strong historical evidence to support efficacy in reducing weight, food stealing, and other behavioral topographies. Recommendations for future research are discussed.