Does a pre-intervention functional assessment increase intervention effectiveness? A meta-analysis of within-subject interrupted time-series studies.

This study examined the relative effectiveness of interventions based on a pre-intervention functional behavioral assessment (FBA), compared to interventions not based on a pre-intervention FBA. We examined 19 studies that included a direct comparison between the effects of FBA- and non-FBA-based interventions with the same participants. A random effects meta-analysis of effect sizes indicated that FBA-based interventions were associated with large reductions in problem behaviors when using non-FBA-based interventions as a reference intervention (Effect size=0.85, 95% CI [0.42, 1.27], p<0.001). In addition, non-FBA based interventions had no effect on problem behavior when compared to no intervention (0.06, 95% CI [-0.21, 0.33], p=0.664). Interestingly, both FBA-based and non-FBA-based interventions had significant effects on appropriate behavior relative to no intervention, albeit the overall effect size was much larger for FBA-based interventions (FBA-based: 1.27, 95% CI [0.89, 1.66], p<0.001 vs. non-FBA-based: 0.35, 95% CI [0.14, 0.56], p=0.001). In spite of the evidence in favor of FBA-based interventions, the limited number of comparative studies with high methodological standards underlines the need for further comparisons of FBA-based versus non-FBA-based interventions.

Advances in the indirect, descriptive, and experimental approaches to the functional analysis of problem behavior / Avances en los enfoques indirecto, descriptivo y experimental del análisis funcional de la conducta problema

BACKGROUND: Experimental functional analysis is an assessment methodology to identify the environmental factors that maintain problem behavior in individuals with developmental disabilities and in other populations. Functional analysis provides the basis for the development of reinforcement-based approaches to treatment. METHODS: This article reviews the procedures, validity, and clinical implementation of the methodological variations of functional analysis and function-based interventions. RESULTS: We present six variations of functional analysis methodology in addition to the typical functional analysis: brief functional analysis, single-function tests, latency-based functional analysis, functional analysis of precursors, and trial-based functional analysis. We also present the three general categories of function-based interventions: extinction, antecedent manipulation, and differential reinforcement. CONCLUSIONS: Functional analysis methodology is a valid and efficient approach to the assessment of problem behavior and the selection of treatment strategies

ANTECEDENTES: el análisis funcional experimental permite identificar los factores del entorno que mantienen y exacerban los problemas de conducta en personas con trastornos del desarrollo y otras poblaciones, siendo esencial para el desarrollo de procedimientos de intervención centrados en el uso de reforzamiento. MÉTODO: en este artículo se revisa el procedimiento, validez y aplicación clínica de las variaciones metodológicas del análisis e intervención funcionales. RESULTADOS: se presenta el análisis funcional típico, breve, de función única, de cribado, de latencia, de precursores y de ensayos, y tres categorías de intervención funcional: retirada del reforzador, alteración de operaciones motivadoras y reforzamiento diferencial. CONCLUSIONES: el análisis funcional es una metodología eficiente y válida para la evaluación de problemas de conducta y para la selección de estrategias de tratamiento

Advances in the indirect, descriptive, and experimental approaches to the functional analysis of problem behavior.

BACKGROUND: Experimental functional analysis is an assessment methodology to identify the environmental factors that maintain problem behavior in individuals with developmental disabilities and in other populations. Functional analysis provides the basis for the development of reinforcement-based approaches to treatment. METHODS: This article reviews the procedures, validity, and clinical implementation of the methodological variations of functional analysis and function-based interventions. RESULTS: We present six variations of functional analysis methodology in addition to the typical functional analysis: brief functional analysis, single-function tests, latency-based functional analysis, functional analysis of precursors, and trial-based functional analysis. We also present the three general categories of function-based interventions: extinction, antecedent manipulation, and differential reinforcement. CONCLUSIONS: Functional analysis methodology is a valid and efficient approach to the assessment of problem behavior and the selection of treatment strategies.