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Asking questions changes health-related behavior: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:The question-behavior effect (QBE) refers to whether asking people questions can result in changes in behavior. Such changes in behavior can lead to bias in trials. This study aims to update a systematic review of randomized controlled trials investigating the QBE, in light of several large preregistered studies being published. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:A systematic search for newly published trials covered 2012 to July 2018. Eligible trials randomly allocated participants to measurement vs. non-measurement control conditions or to different forms of measurement. Studies that reported health-related behavior as outcomes were included. RESULTS:Forty-three studies (33 studies from the original systematic review and 10 new studies) compared measurement vs. no measurement. An overall small effect was found using a random effect model: standardized mean difference = 0.06 (95% CI: 0.02-0.09), n = 104,388. Statistical heterogeneity was substantial (I2 = 54%). In an analysis restricted to studies with a low risk of bias, the QBE remained small but significant. There was positive evidence of publication bias. CONCLUSION:This update shows a small but significant QBE in trials with health-related outcomes but with considerable unexplained heterogeneity. Future trials with lower risk of bias are needed, with preregistered protocols and greater attention to blinding.

SUBMITTER: Miles LM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7308800 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Asking questions changes health-related behavior: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Miles Lisa M LM Rodrigues Angela M AM Sniehotta Falko F FF French David P DP

Journal of clinical epidemiology 20200327

<h4>Objectives</h4>The question-behavior effect (QBE) refers to whether asking people questions can result in changes in behavior. Such changes in behavior can lead to bias in trials. This study aims to update a systematic review of randomized controlled trials investigating the QBE, in light of several large preregistered studies being published.<h4>Study design and setting</h4>A systematic search for newly published trials covered 2012 to July 2018. Eligible trials randomly allocated participa ...[more]

PMID: 32229251

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Asking questions changes health-related behavior: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Publications

Asking questions changes health-related behavior: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

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