Efficacy of Interventions Based on Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis
Psychiatry Investigation
Yu, Q., Li, E., et al. (2020).
Psychiatry Investigation, 17(5), 432.
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the effects of ABA-based interventions for children on the autism spectrum. Only those outcomes relevant to the scope of practice of speech-language pathology will be summarized.
Joint Construction Project of Henan Medical Science and Technology Research Plan (China)
From database inception to December 24, 2018
Randomized-controlled trials
14 studies included in the qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis
Six studies reported on socialization with overall moderate quality of evidence. The standardized mean difference was d=0.11, 95% CI = [-0.31, 0.54]; following sensitivity analysis, the difference between experimental groups (ABA intervention or Early Start Denver Model) and control groups was significant. No differences were found between ABA intervention and Early Start Denver Model.
Seven studies reported on communication with overall moderate quality of evidence. Overall standardized mean difference was d=0.30, 95% CI = [-0.02, 0.61]; following sensitivity analysis, the difference between experimental groups (ABA therapy, Early Start Denver Model, or PECS) and control groups was significant. No significant difference was found between studies using ABA therapy, Early Start Denver Model, or PECS.
Four studies reported on expressive language with an overall moderate quality of evidence. For expressive language, d=-3.52, 95% CI = [-6.31, -0.72] with significant improvements seen for the treatment groups (ABA-based intervention, Early Start Denver Model, or PECS).<br /><br />Three studies reported on receptive language with an overall moderate quality of evidence. Standardized mean difference was d=-0.04, 95% CI = [-0.44, 0.36], with no significant effectiveness found for ABA-based intervention or Early Start Denver Model.
Five studies reported outcomes of daily living skills. SMD was d=0.31, 95% CI = [-0.22, 0.84] with no significant differences found between the experimental groups (ABA or Early Start Denver Model) and control groups.
