No abstract

An estimated 59% of all adult Americans engage in some type of physical activity (J). Fifty million of these get their exercise through jogging, and some 70,000 have a run a marathon (42,2 km or 26,2 miles) (1). This means that in a university biochemistry class of 50 "average" American adults, about 30 students would engage in regular physical exercise.

We read with interest and expectation the proposal by Lavigne et al for an alternative to the reinforced suggestion bedsheet wrapping technique for the management of psychogenic cough. Their conclusion is based on a behavioral technique used in only four cases, in which cougher and parent count the number of coughs per half hour at varying intervals; then goals are negotiated to gradually lower the coughs per half hour to zero by persuasion and, in one instance, by adding monetary rewards. Three patients improved in about 2 weeks.