The Efficacy of Behavior Therapy in Digit - Sucking Management in Children

Prolonged digit-sucking habit can have adverse effects on dentoalveolar, social, physical, emotional and speech development. The relationship to malocclusion is particularly evident in children continuing the habit after the age of four years. Hence, the treatment of this habit is necessary and of great importance. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of behavior therapy (aversive taste and positive reinforcement) in digit-sucking management in 6-12 year-old children. This uncontrolled clinical trial study included 15 children who attended the Pediatric dental, Pediatric or Psychiatry clinics for treatment of digit-sucking habits. After data collection and oral-dental examinations, behavior therapy was started by using aversive taste and positive reinforcement as well as hand wrap or glove for habit control at night. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 13 by using Wilcoxon Signed Rank and Friedman tests. This study was conducted among 15 patients (10 girls and 5 boys) with mean age of 6.77 years. The treatment method was effective in daytime and nighttime habit control in every 3 months. There was no significant difference between 3 month-assessments in day and night habit control. The treatment method was more successful in daytime habit control than in nighttime habit control (p=0.01). The use of aversive taste and positive reinforcement is a low-cost, easy and successful alternative method in ceasing daytime and nighttime digit-sucking habits and this method is more successful in ceasing the daytime than the nighttime digit-sucking habit. The results in day habit control were sustained during the in 3- month study period, and 87% of children had complete improvement with no recurrence.