The effects of behavior modification vs lithium therapy on frontal lobe syndrome.

An A-B-BC-C single-subject design was used to evaluate the effects of behavior modification (i.e. a token economy program) and lithium therapy on the behavioral symptoms associated with frontal lobe damage in a 21-year-old woman. The design consisted of a baseline, token economy, token economy plus lithium, lithium alone and a 4 month follow-up. There was a significant decrease in inappropriate behaviors after treatment with the token economy program, but no additional change was noted in subsequent phases involving lithium therapy. There was evidence of generalization and maintenance in the home environment, even after lithium therapy was discontinued. The results do not support the use of a combined treatment approach.