Dietary management of rumination: four case studies.

Four case studies are presented in which the amount of dietary intake directly affected the rate of post-meal ruminating in mentally retarded clients. In the first case small increases in meal size (8, 12, 16, and 24 oz) resulted in slight increases in rumination. When in the second and third cases, the dietary increases were larger (36, 42, and 50 oz) the results were rapid and significant decreases in rumination. In the final case study the subject was allowed to free feed to a satiation criteria that was continued for 196 days to determine the long-term effectiveness of treatment. The subject ceased ruminating until conditions were reversed. These studies are discussed in terms of treatment strategies and generality to other kinds of behavior.