Use of Dietary Fiber and Stimulus Control to Treat Retentive Encopresis: A Multiple Baseline Investigation

Diet modification and stimulus control training for retentiveencopresis was evaluated in a multiple baseline across subjectsdesign. Three encopretic boys were assessed for 6, 10, and 14weeks of baseline. Diet modification comprised increasing dietaryfiber and water intake through a point contingency, and stimuluscontrol comprised scheduled toileting with limited, contingentuse of suppositories. Diet changes were associated with increasesin appropriate toileting and decreases in accidents. All subjectsattained four consecutive accident-free weeks, and gains weremaintained for 1 year. Only one subject required limited useof suppositories. Results suggest diet change is one alternativeto purgatives in treatment for retentive encopretics. Qualificationsof the approach are noted, and recommendations are made forfuture research.