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Biomedical subjects

R Spiga

Publications and source records attributed to R Spiga.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Human aggressive responses maintained by avoidance or escape from point loss.

During 50-min sessions, 6 male human subjects could press either Button A or Button B available as nonreversible options. Button A presses were nonaggressive responses and earned points according to a fixed-ratio 100 schedule. Prior to the experiment subjects were instructed that every 10 (fixed-ratio 10) Button B presses (aggressive responses) subtracted a point from a fictitious 2nd subject. A random-time schedule of point loss was used to engender aggressive responding. The instructions attributed these point losses to the Button B presses of the subject's fictitious partner. Aggressive responding either escaped or avoided point loss by initiating an interval free of point loss. The duration of the interval was varied systematically across sessions. Avoidance contingencies maintained a high rate of aggressive responding over 30 sessions in the absence of point loss. Escape contingencies also maintained aggressive responding across sessions, with rates of aggressive responding corresponding to rates of point loss.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Effects of secobarbital on human aggressive and non-aggressive responding.

This study examined the effects of secobarbital on human aggressive responding in a controlled laboratory setting. Sixty minutes prior to experimental sessions, male subjects were administered either placebo or 50, 100 or 200 mg per 70 kg of body weight doses of secobarbital double-blind. During these sessions, subjects could press a button to accumulate points exchangeable for money (non-aggressive response) or press another button ostensibly to subtract points from a fictitious person (aggressive response). Aggressive responding was occasioned by subtracting points from the subject. Subjects were instructed that points were subtracted by another person. Aggressive responding was maintained by contingent presentation of periods free of point subtractions, i.e., provocations. Acute secobarbital administration produced dose-dependent decreases in non-aggressive responding, and increases in aggressive responding.

Aggression↗
PubMed1986

Human schedule-induced cardiovascular response.

Sixty-six students were randomly assigned to a vigilance task during which observing responses produced targets according to either a fixed-interval or random-interval 90-sec schedule. During the task, interbeat interval, masseter (EMG) activity, blood pressure and digital blood volume pulse were monitored. Vasoconstriction was initiated within a 4 to 6-sec period following target detection for the majority of subjects assigned to each schedule. Vasomotor tone returned to prechange levels approximately 16 sec after target detection. Transient heart rate increases also occurred during the post-event period, but were more prevalent with subjects in the fixed than in the random-interval group. Post-event masseter activity was exhibited infrequently and only by subjects assigned to the fixed-interval group. The involvement of cardiovascular responsiveness with human schedule-induced behavior and the implications of this involvement for arousal theories of schedule-induced behavior are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Insight and adherence to medication in chronic schizophrenics.

Chronic schizophrenics are well-known for the tendency to not take medication. Clinical observation and studies indicate that insight plays a significant role in medication adherence. This study investigated the roles of insight and perceived benefits from medication by patients. Those patients who had insight, perceived benefits from medication and also perceived a relation between the 2 were more likely to take medication than those who did not have insight nor perceive benefits. A speculative model and possible methods of increasing medication adherence are suggested.

Awareness↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Behavioral treatment of cocaine-dependent pregnant women and TB-exposed patients.

Health-compromised drug-dependent patients require specialized treatment that addresses both drug use and health risks. This preliminary study examines the efficacy of a contingency management procedure (shaping) on decreasing cocaine use and increasing compliance with the prescribed treatment regimens in two health-compromised cocaine-dependent populations: (i) tuberculin (TB) exposed patients (n = 5) and (ii) pregnant women (n = 7). A multiple-baseline across-subjects design was used. There were no contingencies on cocaine use during baseline. During the contingent phase, patients received a monetary reinforcer for (a) successive decreases in the quantity of cocaine and (b) cocaine-free samples. They received a weekly reinforcer if all samples per week met criteria for (a) or (b). During the contingent phase, there was a significant decrease in cocaine metabolite levels and an increase in cocaine-free samples in both populations, with a more robust effect in the TB-exposed group. There was an increase in compliance with prenatal visits among the pregnant women during the contingent phase. Implications for health care are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Compliance with tuberculosis treatment in methadone-maintained patients: behavioral interventions.

UNLABELLED: Tuberculosis has increased dramatically in the United States. Noncompliance with treatment is high. The purpose of this investigation was to achieve compliance with prophylactic TB treatment and simultaneously decrease drug use in a high-risk group of intravenous drug users. Two studies were conducted. Study 1: Subjects were 9 chronic opiate users who tested positive for tuberculosis and were placed on isoniazid (INH) and methadone. Methadone was dispensed contingent upon INH ingestion throughout. A within-subject, A-B design with contingency management interventions on drug use was implemented. RESULTS: Compliance with INH was 100% in 8 patients. Cocaine use remained high. Study 2: Two patients, meeting same criteria as Study 1, participated in a within-subject A-B multiple baseline design. Methadone was dispensed contingent upon INH ingestion throughout. Successive decreases in cocaine use were reinforced in the contingent phase. RESULTS: Compliance with INH was high. During contingency, both patients had over 40% cocaine-free urine samples compared with 0% at baseline. This investigation serves as a model for achieving compliance with TB treatment in opiate users.

Adult↗