J Appl Behav Anal 1982 Winter;15(4):565-71

Reducing severe diurnal bruxism in two profoundly retarded females.

Blount RL, Drabman RS, Wilson N, Stewart D

Several diurnal audible teeth grinding (bruxism) was found to affect 21.5% of a profoundly retarded
population. However, no previous research has treated bruxism in retarded individuals. In the current
study a multiple baseline across subjects design was used to assess the effectiveness of contingent "icing,"
brief contingent tactile applications of ice, as a treatment for bruxism. Three 15-minute treatment periods
and two 5-minute generalization periods were conducted 5 days per week. One resident displayed a 95%
reduction in the percentage of intervals during which bruxism occurred during treatment periods and a
67% reduction during generalization periods. The other resident displayed a 94% reduction in the
percentage of intervals during which bruxism occurred during treatment periods and a 53% reduction
during generalization periods.

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