Optimizing Dimensions of Reinforcement

NCT07137273 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: R21HD113881
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 3

Brief Summary

This study is designed to better understand how certain features of reinforcement affect learning and motivation in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Participants will take part in a series of structured teaching sessions that involve simple tasks and reward-based feedback. By changing the timing and amount of rewards, we aim to learn how these factors influence the ability to acquire and maintain new skills. This information may help improve behavioral interventions for individuals with IDD in the future. The study does not involve medications or procedures intended to change participants' health status.

Conditions

Intellectual Disabilities (F70-F79); Autism

Keywords

Operant Conditioning; Neurodevelopmental disorders; Behavioral interventions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in rate of behavior across schedules

  Number of target responses allocated emitted during experimental sessions in which reinforcement parameters (e.g., schedule arrangement, magnitude, and probability) are systematically varied. This measure will be derived from response data recorded during operant conditioning tasks. Changes in allocation patterns will be compared across schedule conditions to assess the effect of reinforcement manipulations.

  3 months

Study Arms (1)

Single-Arm: Manipulation of Reinforcement Schedules

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will complete an operant conditioning task in which reinforcement schedules are systematically manipulated to evaluate changes in response patterns. All participants receive the same sequence of experimental conditions, which involve varying the availability and distribution of points exchangeable for preferred items or activities. No health-related treatment is provided; the procedures are designed to examine basic behavioral processes related to reinforcement dynamics.

Behavioral: Operant Conditioning Tasks with Reinforcement Manipulations

Interventions

Operant Conditioning Tasks with Reinforcement Manipulations BEHAVIORAL

This behavioral intervention involves structured operant conditioning tasks. Reinforcement parameters (e.g., schedule arrangement, magnitude, and probability) are systematically manipulated to evaluate their effects on behavioral allocation. The primary objective is to assess how variations in reinforcement contingencies influence choice patterns. The procedures are designed to examine fundamental behavioral processes rather than to provide therapeutic benefit.

Single-Arm: Manipulation of Reinforcement Schedules

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years - 17 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• At least 6 years of age
• Documented neurodevelopmental condition
• Engagement in problem behavior (e.g., aggression, self-injury, property destruction) that can be measured during study sessions
• Ability to follow simple instructions
• Ability to participate in tabletop choice-based tasks
• Availability to complete all scheduled study sessions
• Provision of informed consent by participant or legally authorized representative

You may not qualify if:

• Severe sensory or motor impairments that would prevent participation in tabletop tasks
• Current or recent participation (within the past 30 days) in another interventional behavioral research study that could interfere with study outcomes
• Medical or behavioral conditions judged by investigators to pose a safety risk or interfere with data collection

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Auburn University: lead
• Oakland University: collaborator
• Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.: collaborator

Study Sites (3)

Center for Autism Research, Treatment, and Training

Auburn, Alabama, 36830, United States

RECRUITING

Kennedy Krieger Institute

Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, United States

RECRUITING

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan, 48309, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Intellectual Disability; Autistic Disorder; Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Mental Disorders; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive

Study Officials

• John M Falligant, PhD

  Auburn University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: All participants receive the same sequence of experimental conditions. The design allows for within-subject comparisons across phases of the intervention to evaluate changes in operant responding under different schedule arrangements.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 15, 2025
• First Posted: August 22, 2025
• Study Start: October 7, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Last Updated: August 27, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (3)