Abstract
This case study reports the successful use of differential attention in the treatment of chronic operant coughing of 6 months' duration in a 13-year-old boy. The boy was hospitalized, where the symptom was ignored and his adaptive age-appropriate behaviors were reinforced with points and praise. Fines were levied for self-derogatory statements. Obtrusive and unobtrusive observations revealed the cough rate higher when the patient was aware of being observed than when he was unaware of being observed. After 4 days the cough rate dropped to zero, where it remained except for a slight recurrence on the day of discharge. His parents were trained in maintaining the differential attention contingencies in effect in the hospital and were able to transfer these conditions to the home. Thus, when the cough again returned once the patient was home, they were able to immediately terminate it. Follow-up of over 36 months revealed the boy to be symptom free.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alexander, A. B., Chai, H., Creer, T. L., Miklich, D. R., Renne, C. M., and Cardoso, R. A. (1973). The elimination of chronic cough by response suppression shaping.J. Behav. Ther. Exp. Psychiat. 4: 75–80.
Creer, T. L., Chai, H., and Hoffman, A. (1977). A single application of an aversive stimulus to eliminate chronic cough.J. Behav. Ther. Exp. Psychiat. 8: 107–109.
Gardner, J. E. (1968). A blending of behavior therapy techniques in an approach to an asthmatic chiid.Psychotherapy 5: 46–49.
Gentry, W. D. (1976). Parents as modifiers of somatic disorders. In Nash, E. J., Handy, L. C., Hamerlynck, L. A. (eds.),Behavior Modification Approaches to Parenting, Brunner/Mazel, New York.
Hersen, M., and Barlow, D. H. (1976).Single Case Experimental Designs: Strategies for Studying Behavior Change, Pergaraon Press, New York.
Munford, P. R., and Chan, S. Q. (1977). Family therapy for the elimination of a conversion disorder. Unpublished manuscript.
Munford, P. R., Reardon, D., Liberrnan, R. P., and Allen, L. (1976). Behavioral treatment of hysterical coughing and mutism: A case study.J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 44: 1008–1014.
Neisworth, J. T., and Moore, F. (1972). Operant treatment of asthmatic responding with the parent as therapist.Behav. Ther. 3: 397–399.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Munford, P.R., Liberman, R.P. Differential attention in the treatment of operant cough. J Behav Med 1, 289–295 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00846680
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00846680