Effects of telehealth‐mediated behavioral assessments and interventions on client outcomes: A quality review

Abstract

The purpose of this review was to evaluate the quality of research focused on the effects of telehealth-mediated behavior-analytic assessments and interventions on client outcomes. The majority of studies utilized a single-case methodology (n = 44; 81%), while 10 studies (19%) used a group design. Of the 246 single-case designs, 99 (40%) met design standards with or without reservation. For the 10 group design studies, 7 (70%) met the design standards. When evaluating the evidence offered according to the prime independent variable (e.g., behavior assessment, intervention designed for behavior reduction, and intervention designed to establish or strengthen behavior), the literature supports the use of telehealth to conduct behavior assessments and provide interventions designed to establish or strengthen behavior. Additional research is necessary to establish the use of telehealth to conduct interventions designed for behavior reduction. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

The impact of a telehealth platform on ABA-based parent training targeting social communication in children with autism spectrum disorder

“…Despite this, on an individual level, child outcomes are varied. Ferguson et al ( 2019 ) found only 54% of studies reported favourable outcomes for all participants and Neely et al ( 2021 ) stated 45% of single subject research focusing on communication interventions demonstrated non-effects for child outcomes. Whether this limitation in outcomes is a result of heterogeneity common to a naturalistic teaching model or due to specific difficulties in translating effective naturalistic teaching practices to a telehealth platform (i.e., not being able to readily model behaviour or control the many competing variables which may exist in less structured environments) are important questions to ask.…”

Meta‐analyses and effect sizes in applied behavior analysis: A review and discussion

“…To determine if gray research is of similar quality to published studies, researchers can assess quality using coding guidelines that includes quality indicators of SCED. Although not a meta-analysis, Neely et al (2021) evaluated the quality of telehealth-mediated behavioral assessments and interventions in their research synthesis using What Works Clearinghouse quality standards (WWC). Quality of research standards were applied to both SCED (Maggin et al, 2012) and group-design research (WWC, 2020).…”

Utilizing Telehealth to Coach Parents to Implement Trial-Based Functional Analysis and Treatment

“…Telehealth offers many advantages to behavior analysts and the clients we serve (Ferguson et al, 2019 ; Neely et al, 2021 ; Tomlinson et al, 2018 ). Telehealth increases access to populations that may be unable to access in-person services for a number of reasons such as living in a geographical region with little to no available services, lack of transportation, or health conditions that make travel or in-person services difficult or risky.…”

“…The increased accessibility and reduced travel associated with telehealth can result in increased number of clients served with this shortage of skilled providers. Finally, telehealth services have been viewed favorably by parents and caregivers (Ferguson et al, 2019 ; Neely et al, 2021 ; Salome et al, 2017 ; Tomlinson et al, 2018 ). More recently, the global COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a rapid adoption of a telehealth service model as face-to-face professional treatment was frequently deemed unsafe for either the client or the professional (Neely et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Finally, telehealth services have been viewed favorably by parents and caregivers (Ferguson et al, 2019 ; Neely et al, 2021 ; Salome et al, 2017 ; Tomlinson et al, 2018 ). More recently, the global COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a rapid adoption of a telehealth service model as face-to-face professional treatment was frequently deemed unsafe for either the client or the professional (Neely et al, 2021 ). With the many known benefits of telehealth and the growing interest in this service delivery model, research to explore the effectiveness of various approaches to assessing challenging behavior with this model is warranted.…”