Robert L. Zimmermann

Control of Fingertip Temperature Increases via Biofeedback in Learning-Disabled and Normal Children

Although considerable research has been done with biofeedback in adults, little is known of its effect in children of different ages or those with learning disabilities. This study assessed the effects of thermal biofeedback in 60 children (40 boys, 20 girls) aged 7 to 9 yr. (Mage 8-6) half of whom were learning-disabled and half, normal children matched for age, sex, grade, race, socioeconomic status, and IQ. Training consisted of one 15-min. period daily for five days with three trials per period. Children (16 learning-disabled, 16 normals) received consistent reinforcement for digital temperature increases while 28 children (14 learning-disabled, 14 normals) received mixed reinforcement after Day 1, on which all children were consistently reinforced to yield a performance baseline. Feedback was provided by a variable intensity light and toy electric train. Learning was demonstrated only for the consistently reinforced group, which performed almost twice as well as those receiving mixed reinforcement. Learning-disabled children learned thermal control even better than normals, explained in terms of biofeedback reinforcing an internal steady state conducive to learning. Younger children did better than older children, and girls did somewhat better than boys. Post-training improvement in figure-ground discrimination and intersensory-integration was linked with performance and learning, respectively.

A Double-Blind Study of Amantadine Hydrochloride versus Benztropine Mesylate in Drug-Induced Parkinsonism

A double-blind cross-over comparison of the relative efficacies of amantadine hydrochloride and benztropine mesylate was performed on a sample of patients showing parkinson-like side-effects secondary

Studies of the Long Term Efficacy of Antipsychotic Drugs in Controlling the Behavior of Institutionalized Retardates

Antipsychotic drugs are extensively used for reduction of aggression, self-injury, and disruptive behavior. Double-blind studies in a retarded population indicate that abrupt, temporary withdrawal of these medications results in significant behavioral deterioration. Chronic use for behavioral control has been criticized because antipsychotic drugs might reduce adaptive potential, as well as potentially result in chronic and sometimes irreversible deleterious effects such as withdrawal dyskinesias and behavior disorders. While it is generally accepted that these medications are over-used for behaviorial control, most reviewers regard them as necessary in the most severely disturbed patients. Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry , 21, 2:136–143, 1982.

Validity of Family Informants' Ratings of Psychiatric Patients: General Validity

149 psychiatric patients were rated by members of their families, using the Katz Adjustment Scale. The validity of these ratings was assessed against entrance diagnosis, global ratings of pathology by patient, nurse, and psychiatric resident, and standard ward- and self-ratings. The family ratings had validity levels comparable to ward- and self-ratings.

Validation Study of the Psychotic Inpatient Profile

Validity data on the Psychotic Inpatient Profile (PIP), a revision of the Psychotic Reaction Profile, were obtained by comparing ratings of closed- (locked) ward versus open-ward patients and admissions versus releases. Discriminant analyses differentiated the groups in each comparison at the .01 level. Correct classification was obtained for 84.2% of the patients in the closed versus open comparison and for 75.5% in the admissions versus releases comparison. Univariate tests indicated that all 12 PIP scales discriminated between groups in the expected direction in at least one of the two comparisons made.

A double-blind comparison of trifluperidol and trifluoperazine in acute schizophrenic patients

Abstract Trifluperidol and trifluoperazine were compared in a double-blind study involving 30 acute schizophrenics. The patients treated with trifluoperazine showed greater improvement and fewer side effects than patients treated with trifluperidol. These results agree with the results of an earlier study with chronic schizophrenics.