Ethical issues in using deception to facilitate rehabilitation for a patient with severe traumatic brain injury.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore ethical issues in using deception to improve participation in a patient with severe traumatic brain injury who had not responded to traditional behavioral and pharmacologic approaches.

DESIGN: Case study.

PARTICIPANT: A male in inpatient neurorehabilitation with history of severe traumatic brain injury and significant behavioral disruption that limited his therapy participation.

METHODS: Behavior modification program using principles of operant conditioning that required deception.

RESULTS: Participation in therapies significantly improved and disruptive behaviors decreased.

CONCLUSION: When used cautiously and with careful consideration of the ethical implications, deception may be permissible as part of an intervention strategy with this population but only as a last resort.

Medical Subject Headings

Adult; Aggression; Anger; Brain Injuries; Cognition Disorders; Conditioning, Operant; Deception; Ethics, Clinical; Gait Disorders, Neurologic; Humans; Male

Publication Date

3-1-2013

Publication Title

The Journal of head trauma rehabilitation

ISSN

1550-509X

Volume

28

Issue

2

First Page

126

Last Page

130

PubMed ID

22166922

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1097/HTR.0b013e31822cc3dd

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