developmental area ( Chaney)

Question 1

Background

Answer 1

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects about 1 in 4 people in Australia. Even though there are treatments for asthma, the problem is that some people (particularly younger children), do not use their inhalers correctly which can lead to risks to their health.

Question 2

aim

Answer 2

to see if operant conditioning (rewards) could be used to encourage children to adhere to using their asthma medication

Question 3

operant conditioning

Answer 3

learning through the consequences of your actions.

Question 4

sample

Answer 4

32 children (22 boys and 10 girls) from Australia aged between 1.5 and 6 years (although 75% of the children were over 3).

Question 5

How might the Funhaler provide positive reinforcement

Answer 5

The toy ball spins more and the whistle is louder when the child breathes correctly through the inhaler.

Question 6

How might the Funhaler provide negative reinforcement?

Answer 6

Children and parents know when it is being used correctly and so it reduces anxiety and stress caused. Correct use also leads to fewer symptoms.

Question 7

independent variable

Answer 7

Whether child is using the Funhaler or the normal inhaler spacer

Question 8

Dependent variable

Answer 8

The children’s behaviour – how frequently children took the medication
The problems the children had with delivery of medication
Attitudes of the parents and the children towards medication

Question 9

stage 1 procedure

Answer 9

Parents filled out an initial questionnaire about the standard inhaler, which measured:
Current adherence (how often they used it effectively)
Problems with using the inhaler
Children’s attitudes towards the inhaler (pleasure, acceptance, fear)
Parents’ attitudes towards medication

Question 10

stage 2 procedure

Answer 10

Parents given the Funhaler to use with their child for the next 2 weeks

The parents were then contacted randomly by telephone and asked if they had used the Funhaler the previous day

Question 11

stage 3 procedure

Answer 11

A second questionnaire was given to the parents to measure:

Adherence when using the Funhaler
Problems with using the Funhaler
Children’s attitudes towards the inhaler (pleasure, acceptance, fear)
Parents’ attitudes towards medication

Question 12

results usage of inhaler

Answer 12

Percentage of children who had used their inhaler the day before
existing -59
funhaler- 81
Percentage of children who achieved 4 or more breath cycles per delivery (i.e. used it effectively)
existing -50
funhaler- 80
Percentage of parents who always successfully medicated their child
existing- 10
funhaler- 73

Question 13

results problems

Answer 13

Unwilling to breathe through the device at all
existing - 61
funhaler- 7
Screams when device is brought close to face
existing- 48
funhaler- 3

Question 14

conclusions

Answer 14

Children were more likely to use the funhaler correctly than their standard inhalers, had fewer problems with using it, and showed more positive attitudes towards it.

This suggests operant conditioning is an effective way to encourage children to take their medication.