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Clinical Trial
. 1990 Feb;15(1):57-65.
doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/15.1.57.

An effective and acceptable treatment alternative for chronic thumb- and finger-sucking

P C Friman  1 , J M Leibowitz
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

An effective and acceptable treatment alternative for chronic thumb- and finger-sucking

P C Friman et al. J Pediatr Psychol. 1990 Feb.

Abstract

Evaluated treatment for thumb-sucking in a randomized trial. Study included 22 children, ages 4-11, who displayed chronic thumb-sucking. Treatment included aversive taste and a reward system. Significant results were obtained at posttest, with 12 cessations at 3-month follow-up and 20 at 1 year. Participating parents, pediatricians, and pediatric psychologists validated treatment acceptability. Results support the treatment as an alternative to common medical and dental advice about thumb-sucking. Directions for future research are discussed.

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