An Effective and Acceptable Treatment Alternative for Chronic Thumb- and Finger-Sucking
- 1 February 1990
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Journal of Pediatric Psychology
- Vol. 15 (1) , 57-65
- https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/15.1.57
Abstract
Evaluated treatment for thumb-sucking in a randomized trial. Study included 22 children, ages 4–11, who displayed chronic thumb-sucking. Treatment included aversive taste and a reward system. Significant results were obtained at posttest, with 12 cessations at 3-month follow-up and 20 at 1 year. Participating parents, pediatricians, and pediatric psychologists validated treatment acceptability. Results support the treatment as an alternative to common medical and dental advice about thumb-sucking. Directions for future research are discussed.Keywords
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