ABSTRACT

This study conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis based on the Tau-U index to quantitatively examine the effects of non-extinction-based interventions on reducing problem behavior and increasing alternative behavior, following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A total of 20 studies (79 experiments) were included in the final analysis. Participants were primarily children and adolescents aged 6-21 years with ASD or comorbid developmental disabilities. The intervention agents were mainly therapists, experimenters, and teachers, and the interventions were implemented primarily in clinical and school settings. The major intervention strategies were DRA and FCT. Non-extinction-based interventions demonstrated significant effects on both the reduction of problem behavior and the enhancement of alternative behavior, although there was considerable variability in effect sizes across studies. Moderator analyses revealed relatively larger effect sizes for early developmental participants, ASD and comorbid groups, researcher or teacher implemented interventions, school and mixed settings, and interventions combining FCT. Based on these findings, the study discussed the effectiveness of non-extinction-based interventions and provides suggestions for future research directions.

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