The Use of Reinforcement Procedures in Retraining Hand Movement of a CVA Hemiplegic

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of reinforcement procedures in retraining upper extremity movement impaired as a result of cerebrovascular accident. A simply constructed instrument permitted accurate measurement of motor responding and, under some treatment conditions, provided the subject with direct feedback of movement. Experimenter praise for movement which met a pre-selected standard or criterion, in combination with binary visual feedback of performance and a knowledge of progress condition, was shown to bring about continuing improvement in the hemiplegic subject's range of supination. Praise with binary feedback alone functioned only to sustain responding at above baseline levels.