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stephen_galan_pp_presentation.pptx
Behavioral Modification of Nail-Biting with Habit Reversal
Stephen Galan
Liberty University
Literature Review
Motivation is a key attribute of persons wishing to reduce or extinguish the behavior of nail-biting. Most treatments will fail without a motivated participant. (Tanaka, Vitral, Tanaka, Guererro & Camargo, 2008)
Self-monitoring increases awareness of nail-biting and nail length. It is sometimes useful in the cessation of nail-biting in and of itself. (Adesso, Vargas, & Siddall, 1979)
When awareness and self-monitoring are combined with a competing activity, habit reversal is the result. A competing activity is any activity incompatible with the problem behavior. In nail-biting, this could be clinching of the fists for 30 seconds when the desire to bite arises. (Azrin, Nunn & Frantz, 1980)
The competing activity is crucial to the habit reversal technique. (Silber & Haynes, 1992 & Woods et. al, 1999)
Baseline Phase
Target Behavior Definition: The behavior of nail-biting was observed during a baseline phase of two weeks. For this experiment, nail-biting was defined as any time the nails crossed the plane of the lips into the mouth. The impulse of desire was also monitored during this phase.
Observation Process: Observation was conducted continuously. Natural settings were used. Behavior was recorded and any pertinent notes about the participant’s mood or circumstances that day were annotated.
Dimensions Recorded: The frequency of nail-biting behavior along with the frequency of impulse/desire were recorded.
Nail-Biting/Impulse Baseline Phase
Desire to bite 42828 42829 42830 42831 42832 42833 42834 42835 42836 42837 42838 42839 42840 42841 4 8 8 8 6 6 7 6 8 8 7 9 9 9 Biting behavior 42828 42829 42830 42831 42832 42833 42834 42835 42836 42837 42838 42839 42840 42841 0 3 1 2 1 2 2 1 3 3 3 4 3 4
Observation days
Number of times behavior observed
Treatment for Nail-Biting
Treatment Method: Habit-Reversal (extinction)
* The participant engaged in continuous self-monitoring of frequency of biting and desire to bite.
* The participant received social support throughout treatment phase.
* The participant engaged in competing behaviors during the treatment phase each time a desire to bite was noted.
* Manicures and trimming of nails occurred during treatment.
Research Design: AB Single Subject
* The following graph shows the baseline data and the treatment phase data. Each phase was two weeks in length.
Nail-Biting Habit Reversal Results
Frequency of biting and desire to bite were observed and recorded as in the baseline.
Habit reversal appears to be effective in reducing the frequency of biting behavior and desire.
Nails increased in length and biting behavior was still effectively extinguished during the treatment phase. This is significant since longer nails usually increase desire to bite.
Nail-Biting/Impulse Baseline & Treatment Phase
Desire to bite 42828 42829 42830 42831 42832 42833 42834 42835 42836 42837 42838 42839 42840 42841 42842 42843 42844 42845 42846 42847 42848 42849 42850 42851 42852 42853 42854 42855 4 8 8 8 6 6 7 6 8 8 7 9 9 9 9 9 8 8 7 6 6 5 5 5 4 5 3 3 Biting behavior 42828 42829 42830 42831 42832 42833 42834 42835 42836 42837 42838 42839 42840 42841 42842 42843 42844 42845 42846 42847 42848 42849 42850 42851 42852 42853 42854 42855 0 3 1 2 1 2 2 1 3 3 3 4 3 4 3 4 4 5 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0
Observation days
Number of times behavior observed
Limitations and Recommendations
Experiment should be extended in duration. AB design is not true research and would be improved with a longer longitudinal study in an A-B-A-B design.
Success of the initial experiment in reducing biting may just be novel behavior. Time will tell if the changes are lasting.
The fact that this is a highly motivated, single subject experiment means it is largely anecdotal. More participants should be used to confirm the effectiveness of habit reversal treatments.
References
Adesso, V., Vargas, J., Siddall, J. (1979). The role of awareness in reducing nail biting behavior. Behavior Therapy, 10, 148-154. doi 10.1016/S0005-7894(79)80018-0
Azrin, N., Nunn, R., Frantz, S. (1980). Habit reversal vs. negative practice treatment of nail-biting. Behavior Research & Therapy, 18, 281-285. doi 10.1016/0005-7967(80)90086-8
Silber, K. Haynes, C. (1992). Treating nail biting: A comparative analysis of mild aversion and competing response therapies. Behavior Research & Therapy, 30(1). 15-22. doi 10.1016/0005-7967(92)90091-T
Tanaka, O., Vitral, R., Tanaka, G., Guererro, A., Camargo, E. (2008). Nailbiting, or onychophagia: A special habit. American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics, 134(2). 305-308. doi 10.1016/j.ajodo.2006.06.023
Woods, D., Murray, L., Fuqua, R., Seif, T., Boyer, L., Siah, A. (1999). Comparing the effectiveness of similar and dissimilar competing responses in evaluating the habit reversal treatment for oral-digital habits in children. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 30. 289-300. doi 10.1016/S0005-7916(99)00031-2
