Optimizing Dimensions of Reinforcement to Enhance Behavioral Interventions

Status: Recruiting
Location: See all (3) locations...
Intervention Type: Behavioral
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

This study is designed to better understand how certain features of reinforcement affect learning and motivation in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Participants will take part in a series of structured teaching sessions that involve simple tasks and reward-based feedback. By changing the timing and amount of rewards, we aim to learn how these factors influence the ability to acquire and maintain new skills. This information may help improve behavioral interventions for individuals with IDD in the future. The study does not involve medications or procedures intended to change participants' health status.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 6
Maximum Age: 17
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• At least 6 years of age

• Documented neurodevelopmental condition

• Engagement in problem behavior (e.g., aggression, self-injury, property destruction) that can be measured during study sessions

• Ability to follow simple instructions

• Ability to participate in tabletop choice-based tasks

• Availability to complete all scheduled study sessions

• Provision of informed consent by participant or legally authorized representative

Locations
United States
Alabama
Center for Autism Research, Treatment, and Training
RECRUITING
Auburn
Maryland
Kennedy Krieger Institute
RECRUITING
Baltimore
Michigan
Oakland University
RECRUITING
Rochester Hills
Time Frame
Start Date: 2024-10-07
Estimated Completion Date: 2026-08
Participants
Target number of participants: 30
Treatments
Experimental: Single-Arm: Manipulation of Reinforcement Schedules
Participants will complete an operant conditioning task in which reinforcement schedules are systematically manipulated to evaluate changes in response patterns. All participants receive the same sequence of experimental conditions, which involve varying the availability and distribution of points exchangeable for preferred items or activities. No health-related treatment is provided; the procedures are designed to examine basic behavioral processes related to reinforcement dynamics.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: Auburn University
Collaborators: Oakland University, Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov