CASE REPORT - AVOIDANCE CONDITIONING THERAPY OF AN INFANT WITH CHRONIC RUMINATIVE VOMITING

Reports the treatment of a 9-mo-old infant whose life was seriously endangered by persistent vomiting and chronic rumination. An aversive conditioning paradigm, employing electric shock, significantly reduced the frequency of this maladaptive response pattern in a few, brief treatment sessions. EMG records were used in assessing response characteristics of the emesis, and in determining the shock contingencies used in therapy. Cessation of vomiting and rumination was accompanied by weight gains, increased activity level, and general responsiveness to people. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.