Abstract
Objectives
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurogenetic condition characterized by a variety of physical and behavioral symptoms that impact health and quality of life. Skin picking, a form of self-injurious behavior, is highly prevalent in the PWS population and can result in serious and long-lasting health concerns. Despite this, few effective interventions for skin picking exist.
Methods
This study aims to fill the gaps in the literature by evaluating a caregiver-implemented behavior analytic intervention for skin picking delivered using remote, video technology. Thirteen caregiver child dyads participated in the virtual behavior analytic caregiver training program. The training lasted between 8 and 12 weeks. Caregivers met one-on-one with a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst who took them through a structured program where they learned a series of strategies to prevent and reduce skin picking.
Results
Results of the study indicate significant improvements in picking for eight participants across caregiver rating scales, wound photographs, and quantitative analyses. Questionable effects were found for three participants, and no impact was seen for the final participant.
Conclusions
While replication is needed, this study demonstrates a promising step towards developing a diagnosis-specific intervention for a highly prevalent behavior with widespread impacts on social functioning and health.
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Data Availability
This study presents data in a single-subject format. Therefore, all numerical and photographic data are included within the tables and figures in the body of the paper.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the Prader-Willi Association of the USA for supporting behavior analytic research and for providing the funding to make this project possible.
Funding
Funding for this study was obtained as a grant from PWSA-USA.
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Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
KEB: conceptualization, funding acquisition, methodology, supervision, data collection, data analyses, writing, reviewing, editing, and revisions. AKG: conceptualization, methodology, data analyses, reviewing, editing. KK: investigation, data collection, data analyses, validation, and writing.
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Ethical Approval
This study received ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board at The Chicago School.
Consent to Participate
Consent was obtained from all participants involved in the study. Caregivers were briefed on the objectives and procedures of the research and provided voluntary informed consent for themselves and their children. Children who were at an age and developmental level to provide assent were provided with an appropriate description of the study, given the opportunity to ask questions, and asked if they would like to participate. Children who were determined too young or unable to provide assent based on developmental level were still offered the opportunity to hear about the study ask questions, but their assent was determined by any form of protest during the assent meeting and during the implementation of the study. All children who were able provided assent during the assent appointment, and no dissenting behavior was reported during the study implementation.
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The authors declare no competing interests.
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Bedard, K.E., Griffith, A.K. & Krukowski, K. Caregiver-Implemented Behavior Analytic Treatment Package for Skin Picking in PWS: A Pilot Study. Adv Neurodev Disord (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-024-00393-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-024-00393-2