Chaney et al (2004) Flashcards
What is operant conditioning?
A form of associative learning. A method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior. Through operant conditioning, an individual makes an association between a particular behavior and a consequence
What is positive reinforcement?
Strengthens behaviour by providing a consequence an individual finds rewarding.
What was the aim of reserach by Chaney et al?
To show the use of a novel asthma spacer device, the ‘Funhaler’, which incorporates incentive toys, whilst not compromising drug delivery.
What was the research method used in research by Chaney et al.
A field experiment using a repeated measures design.
What was the IV in Chaney et als research?
Whether the child used a standard/small volume spacer device
Whether the child used a Funhaler
What was the DV in Chaney et als research?
The amount of adherence to the prescribed medical regime
What was the sample in research by chaney et al?
32 children (22 male, 10 female)
mean age 3.2 years
The children’s parents provided informed consent and also participated in the study through completing questionnaires and taking part in a phone interview
Outline the procedure used in reserach by Chaney et al
Participants were interviewed on their existing inhaler.
Then they were given the Funhaler for two weeks and reported over the phone.
Matched questionnaires were competed (by parents) after sequential use of the Breath-a-Tech inhaler and the Funhaler.
Data collected from the self-report related to how easy each device was to use, compliance of parents and children, and treatment attitudes
Outline why the funhaler was appealing to children
A deep breath in caused a toy to spin which encourages inhalation of the drug.
It provides entertainment and incentives the funhaler and has a range of replacement attachments.
What were the key findings from research by Chaney et al?
The use of the Funhaler was associated with improved parental and child compliance.
81% of children were found to be medicated the previous day using the funhaler compared to 59% with the normal inhaler.
When using the conventional spacer 3/30 parents reported always being successful in medication their child compared to 22/30 with the funhaler.
What were the main conclusions from research by Chaney et al.
Improved adherence, combined with effective delivery characteristics, suggest that the Funhaler may be useful for management of young asthmatics
Behaviourist techniques, such as operant conditioning can be used to increase children’s adherence to medication.
