Reducing indices of unhappiness among individuals with profound multiple disabilities during therapeutic exercise routines

A program was developed to reduce indices of unhappiness that accompanied t herapeutic exercise routines among people with profound multiple disabiliti es. Indices of unhappiness were recorded, using an observation system that had been validated through previous research involving happiness-related va riables, while support personnel conducted exercises with 3 participants. A multicomponent program was then implemented that involved presenting highl y preferred stimuli before, during, and after each exercise session. Result s indicated that the program was accompanied by reduced indices of unhappin ess for each participant relative to the traditional method of conducting t he exercises, although changes in the preferred stimuli used with 1 partici pant were required before consistent reductions occurred. Results are discu ssed regarding the importance of reducing unhappiness indices as a means of enhancing aspects of the daily quality of life for people with profound mu ltiple disabilities. Areas for future research are also discussed, focusing on expanding the unhappiness-reduction procedures to other routine events that may occasion indices of unhappiness.