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The Use Of Operant Procedures To Develop Ambulation In A Wheelchair Confined Male, Burton E. Shook

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Studies have shown that operant procedures can be successfully used in physical rehabilitation. This study was an attempt to develop standing and walking behaviors in a 47-year old male who was confined to a wheelchair. A multiple baseline design across settings was used to demonstrate the effects of verbal, physical and edible reinforcers on three sub-behaviors of standing. The first two sub-behaviors were trained and training had begun on the third sub-behavior when the study was abruptly terminated. Thus, no training sessions for walking took place.