OPERANT‐CONTINGENCY‐BASED PREPARATION OF CHILDREN FOR FUNCTIONAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

• DOI: 10.1901/jaba.2002.35-191
• Publication Date: 2006-03-01T22:36:27Z
• Authors: Keith J. Slifer; Kristine L. Koontz; Michael F. Cataldo
• Keywords: Male; 05 social sciences; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Child, Preschool; Head Movements; Task Performance and Analysis; Conditioning, Operant; Humans; Female; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences; Child; Reinforcement, Psychology

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is used to study brain function during behavioral tasks. The participation of pediatric subjects is problematic because reliable task performance and control of head movement are simultaneously required. Differential reinforcement decreased head motion and improved vigilance task performance in 4 children (2 with behavioral disorders) undergoing simulated fMRI scans. Results show that behavior analysis techniques can improve child cooperation during fMRI procedures.