REDUCTIONS IN SELF-INJURY PRODUCED BY TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE-STIMULATION

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is used to reduce pain but also may be useful for self-injurious behavior (SIB). In the current investigation, a microcurrent electromedical device, classified as a t ranscutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS), was applied with a m an with Down syndrome who displayed SIB that persisted in the absence of social contingencies. Although clinically significant results were not maintained, a clear difference in the rates of SIB during active a nd inactive TENS was observed.