The effect of informational feedback on food intake of adult burn patients.

Davison et al. (1984) worked with four adult burn patients in a hospital unit. The team used a multiple-baseline design across participants. Each patient got a card after every meal that showed prescribed protein and calories next to what they actually ate.

Staff gave the card right after the tray was cleared. No extra rewards or coaching—just the numbers.

When patients saw the gap between target and actual intake, both protein and calorie eating went up. The gains held for every participant. Simple feedback was enough to change eating behavior.

Dudley et al. (2008) repeated the idea with computer workers. Real-time visual feedback on posture gave the same jump in healthy behavior. Both studies show that telling adults the difference between goal and fact works fast.

Neef et al. (1986) moved the trick to a cafeteria. A poster listing low-fat benefits raised healthy choices from 20% to 35%. Same low-cost prompt, new setting.

Goomas et al. (2017) added handheld computers. Instant visual/audio feedback cut order-picking errors in a food plant. The burn-unit rule—see the gap, fix the act—holds from hospital beds to factory floors.

You can raise intake, posture, or accuracy without tokens or praise. Just show the person the target and the real number right after the act. Try a simple tally card at the next meal session or add a live counter on a tablet. It takes seconds, costs pennies, and works for adults with or without disabilities.