Treating Hyperactivity with Dexedrine and Activity Feedback

Abstract

Using a single-case experimental design, this study evaluated the effects of Dexedrine and an activity feedback and reinforcement procedure on several behavioral components of the hyperactivity syndrome. The results showed that Dexedrine improved classroom on-task behavior and lunchroom gross motor behavior but had no effect on activity level, as measured by a movement monitor worn on the child's wrist. After replicating these effects in a second phase of Dexedrine, an activity feedback and reinforcement procedure was combined with medication to reduce the subject's excessive rate of activity. This procedure involved sequentially adding three components of the activity feedback procedure in order to determine the significance of instructions, guided practice, and activity feedback and reinforcement for reducing activity. Results indicated that activity feedback and reinforcement produced the largest reductions in activity.

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